PC 042512 - Laserfiche WebLink

Beratlis, who was born in Pleasanton and owned several buildings in the Downtown, also liked the color. She added that Mr. Beratlis just recently passed way, and this makes his opinion more meaningful to her. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the people who came in and did not like the color did not sign the paper. Heather Stratton, independent contractor at the business, stated that no one did not like the color or declined to sign. Ms. Harris added that Councilmember Cindy McGovern, who is also a client, likes the color. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if Councilmember McGovern signed the paper. Ms. Harris replied that she did not. Scott Harris stated that he was a real estate lawyer and the building lessee, together with his wife, Lana. He noted that staff had denied the existing green color of the building based on the Downtown Design Guidelines (DTDG) provision that Mission Revival or Mediterranean style buildings should have earthtone wall color, and staff had considered the building to be generally Spanish Colonial. He indicated that like the law office next door, the house is Mexican rather than Spanish Colonial, and the existing green color is consistent with the Mexican bright colors identified by Google. Mr. Harris stated that staff denied the green because it is not an earthtone color. He noted that the DTDG states that Mediterranean -style buildings have to be earthtone, but nowhere does it say Mexican -style buildings should be earthtone or muted. He added that the DTDG uses the term "should" and not "shall." He indicated that the staff report states that modifications to existing buildings in the Downtown must be sensitive to the character of the historic Downtown, and he believed they were. He indicated that earthtone colors do not apply to the building and that the Veterans Memorial and Coast Gasoline Station have Spanish colors. He cited the email marked as Exhibit D from Andrew Shafer, a neighbor who is not associated with the salon and who supports the color and thinks it is in good taste and provides the needed cultural diversity. He continued that Mr. Shafer believes that "over- regulation and conformity make for a very dry, boring environment and community," and that "Cupid's Tooth on Rose Avenue is much more garish." Mr. Harris pointed out that the Pleasanton Hotel's surface colors are circus colors and questioned how they were approved. He asked that the salon's colors be allowed to remain. Ms. Stratton stated that she works at Salon Esencia as an independent contractor and has been a full contractor for 15 years. She explained what the existing green color does for her as a business owner. She noted that when she moved her business to the salon, the building was white and blended well with the neighborhood; however, it was boring, and because the salon is located on St. Mary and not on Main Street, it did not PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, April 25, 2012 Page 5 of 10