PC 121212 - Laserfiche WebLink

list of all 24 -hour facilities within and around the City for the purpose of comparing what else is operating under the same circumstances. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Terry Grayson, Applicant, stated that he works for a company called The Development Corporation, which does business as Ironhorse Development. He thanked the Commission and the Planning staff for allowing them to present the proposal tonight, even though staff is not supporting their proposal at this point, and to address any concerns the Commission and staff may have. He indicated that they have spent approximately a year and a half on this process, starting in July 2011, and have had many meetings with staff and undergone many different iterations of this project because of public concerns of which they are aware. He added that they have spent over $85,000 up to this point for all the site development, grading, and storm water plans, as well as about ten different colored elevations. Mr. Grayson stated that one of the main driving forces for this project is the Water Board and the Alameda County Transportation Corridor's direction to clean up the area behind this facility, which would involve taking out the tanks and thereby enhancing the remediation project at this location. He added that to take advantage of the work already to be done with this remediation project, the owner thought of enhancing the service station by putting in a 7- Eleven facility. Mr. Grayson stated that he has been involved in over 500 Planning Commissions and City Councils and has never reached a point where they are a week away from a hearing and then received a recommendation for denial from staff. He noted that based on all meetings with staff, they went full steam ahead, concurring to change things, and are very disappointed that they still did not have staff's support coming into this meeting. He indicated that they had their final meeting with staff on October 23, 2012 and addressed all of the concerns that had been brought to their attention over the last year and a half. He added that they left that meeting with pretty much the understanding that they had staff's approval and support to go forward, ad released another $20,000 worth of work. He indicated that they finalized pretty much everything else by November 21, 2012, thinking they were heading in the right direction. Mr. Grayson stated that they started with 2,800 square feet and are now down to 2,250 square feet, noting that 7- Eleven will not allow them to go any smaller than that. He noted that 258 square feet of the building are very nice ADA- accessible restrooms, and it plans to be open 24 hours. He added that they are closing two of the driveways and are proposing one -way traffic to enhance the traffic flow. He indicated that the proposal meets or exceeds the C -S (Service - Commercial) zoning requirements of the site. He added that they understand that this site has a General Plan designation of Retail /Highway and Service Commercial, and that as a transitional area, it is an outstanding site for a local market. He stated that he understands the concerns from the public about competitiveness with the other markets in the neighborhood and explained that this proposal is an in- and -out market. He added that studies have shown PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2012 Page 10 of 40