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proposal meets the City's vision. He added that his proposed language for the Vision <br />Statement helps developers to say that yes, they can go there. <br />Mr. Inderbitzen stated that one of the problematical things he sees is on page 4 of the <br />document where there is an acknowledgement that there are differences in the sites, <br />but it basically says that the developer can ask for an exception where the application of <br />the guideline would make it infeasible or undesirable and where an alternative proposal <br />fits with the vision and intent. He questioned why, if an alternative proposal fits with the <br />vision and intent, they would they have to meet the additional threshold to say it is <br />infeasible. He noted that it might be feasible for the developer to meet the depths that <br />the guidelines require on retail sites at 60 feet, but it could be a better design if they <br />start at 30 feet and go to 60 feet, and they should be able to do that. He added that he <br />is aware that they could ask for an exception, but he would like to be able to have a <br />conversation with staff that is not based on "Well the guideline says 60 feet so we are <br />going to try to make it 60 feet." <br />Vice Chair Blank added "unless it is infeasible." <br />Mr. Inderbitzen said yes. <br />Vice Chair Blank thanked Mr. Inderbitzen for the clarification. <br />Commissioner Olson inquired if it would be possible to put some language in the Vision <br />Statement that addresses Mr. Inderbitzen's concern. <br />Mr. Dolan replied that it would be possible. <br />Diane Birchell, a resident across the Nearon site, stated that she has three points she <br />would like to make: (1) Density. She indicated that she understands that the density of <br />30 units per acre is demanded by the requirement of the Urban Habitat settlement; <br />however, she urges the Commission and the Council to determine that the appropriate <br />density for the Nearon property is no more than 30 units to the acre for the reason that <br />none of the surrounding office and residential buildings are more than three stories. <br />She noted that a five -story building would be really very different from anything in that <br />immediate area. (2) Parking. She stated that it is not possible to do a lot of variation on <br />a 5.6 -acre property, but parking will be a serious issue at 30 units to the acre. She <br />noted that the Verona development has 151 units at 12 units to the acre and generates <br />around 300 vehicles. She continued that given there will be a mix of sizes because of <br />the Urban Habitat requirement, parking is going to be very bad regardless of what <br />wonderful designs can be achieved. (3) Traffic. She stated that given the current <br />driveway at the Nearon site, the number of vehicles entering and exiting the site during <br />the hours when people are getting to or from work will create an immediate and very <br />serious traffic hazard. She noted that it is half a block or less from the intersection of <br />Stoneridge Drive and West Las Positas Boulevard, and the traffic is moving on West <br />Las Positas Boulevard. She indicated that she does not know the City's rules regarding <br />how close to a corner a traffic light can be installed but that one on this site would <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 11, 2012 Page 9 of 16 <br />