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garden areas in front of those units as well as stoops and front porches to activate it and <br />bring people to the street and create a more pedestrian environment in the architecture <br />and the character of the land plan. With respect to the retail area, he indicated that they <br />have broken the buildings in order to create this energy and connection back to the <br />center of the project, the residence, the retail, the office building, and the plaza area out <br />there. <br />Mr. Thatch stated that their buildings around the retail have three- and four -sided <br />architecture with entries on both sides from the parking lot and the street, making it a <br />very engaging building to the street and to the neighborhood. He added that they are <br />working with the trees and some of the landscape elements from Bishop Ranch, but this <br />will be a little bit smaller than before in order to create the plaza behind it for a little <br />more security away from the street while still being able to activate it to have a pleasant <br />place for people to sit and see things going by. He continued that the architecture is <br />more contemporary in nature, and the retail area is eclectic with a residential mix to it. <br />Mr. Thatch stated that the main entry into the residential in the middle block off of <br />Owens Drive presents some character with a variety of different scales and some strong <br />geometric forms. He noted that some roof forms are more residential in character with <br />a lot of up- and -down movement in architecture, and the windows utilizes a lot of glazing <br />that will bring a lot of light, creating contemporary floor plans. <br />Mr. Thatch stated that the project will include a very nice clubhouse and lounge for <br />multipurpose use of residents for yoga, recreation, and a bike shop with all the tools <br />where people can work on their bikes. He added that the area also has connections to <br />bike trails, along with a pool that is big enough for laps, and a business leasing and <br />conference center which can be used by residents who will hopefully choose to work at <br />home. He noted that along with this synergy of a village center is the creation of a <br />pavilion building and lounge that is part of the podium, an outdoor living room and <br />kitchen area, and an outdoor pavilion that will be a really nice entertainment and <br />recreation area for residents. <br />Mr. Thatch stated that the big thing about the amenities of the project in the community <br />area is the contemporary floor plan, which connects the site to shops and plaza and <br />everything around it. He indicated that they are looking at the community center as a <br />country club with club rooms, a pool and a spa, fitness and yoga, pool tables and bocce <br />ball courts, an internet cafe, and outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining. <br />Mr. Thatch stated that their sustainable features are key, with buildings that are LEED <br />Silver as far as reuse in materials and different things. He noted that the big thing about <br />being sustainable in this project is that one can walk to work, to restaurants, to BART, to <br />almost anywhere in the Bay Area without a car. He added that Wi -Fi and the business <br />center will make it possible for people to work more at home and not have to use their <br />car; it will be bike - friendly with secure bicycle parking and a repair shop. He noted that <br />electrical vehicle charging stations will be part of this design, and storm water will be <br />integrated and will be a big part of the design in water and energy efficiency. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 10, 2012 Page 7 of 19 <br />