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Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings to mitigate train noise and staff acknowledges that it may be difficult for the applicant to find windows that would comply with the window design requirements. Therefore, staffs recommended condition requires that the proposed vinyl windows have a similar frame and sash thickness as found on a traditional wood- framed/sashed window and that raised mullions be used on both sides of the glass unless the required noise mitigation for this project prevents compliance with this condition. Overall, staff believes that the building designs are attractive, and that the articulation, finish, and materials are appropriate for the Downtown, comply with the Downtown Design Guidelines, and would complement the existing buildings in the neighborhood and other areas in the Downtown. Traffic and Circulation The Pleasanton General Plan exempts the Downtown Specific Plan area from the Citywide Level of Service (LOS) D standards although improvements at Downtown intersections may occur where necessary and when consistent with the character of the downtown. Downtown Specific Plan streets and intersections were built prior to modern road standards and lack the necessary right-of-way for major roadway improvements. Furthermore, removing on-street parking, adding additional travel lanes, and reducing sidewalk width — the types of traffic improvements that are typically required — would be inconsistent with the desired pedestrian character of the Downtown. The proposed project is considered a small-scale project located in the Downtown, and, for these reasons, does not require a traffic study. The residential, office/commercial uses and proposed site layout are not anticipated to create any unique traffic or circulation circumstances. The applicant would be required to pay applicable City and Tri-Valley traffic fees as part of the project. Therefore, the project will result in a proposed development that will be consistent with the City's traffic safety. Parking Single-family homes are required to have two parking spaces per unit, with at least one of the spaces covered in a garage or carport. The applicant is proposing to provide two covered spaces in two-car garages for each detached, single-family home. As conditioned, the garages will not be allowed to be modified by the residents or used for storage in a manner that interferes with the ability to park two cars within the garage and residents will be required to park their vehicles in the garages. A condition of approval requires that these parking restrictions be recorded as restrictive covenants that will "run with the land" and, therefore, would be binding on all future property owners. The PMC parking requirements for a mixed-use building would be nine on-site spaces (i.e., two spaces for each apartment unit and three spaces for the office/retail space based on a 1 space/300 sq. ft. parking ratio). There are six on-site parking spaces proposed for the mixed- use building and the applicant is proposing to have the apartment and office/retail tenants share the six parking spaces. PUD rezoning allows for flexibility to amend the parking standards required by the PMC. During the Work Session, the Commission believed that, although the PMC parking standards were not being met (three additional spaces are required per the PMC), the small rental apartment units are likely to have reduced parking demand compared to typical residential units and are located in close proximity to transit facilities (the PUD-118, 4791 Augustine Street Planning Commission Page 19 of 25