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major drug store and a second with a little larger grocery. He noted that one of the
<br />reasons for the lot -line is that the larger majors typically need to be attached parcels,
<br />and what they have done is create a circulation space that starts from the public
<br />roadway, comes into the site, through the site, and back out, with some very nice
<br />pedestrian - friendly access. He further noted that they got a key component at this
<br />particular element in terms of architecture statement because there is a grade change
<br />on that site, and this is a really positive way to deal with that and enhance the site.
<br />Mr. Rodrigues stated that the other thing they have created are these outdoor dining
<br />spaces, with parking located in the front, tenant entries located along the promenade,
<br />and then a strong connection to the retail component. He indicated that the gateway
<br />feature could be a very nice for the corner, up -lit at night and consistent with the
<br />architecture, which is quite varied with significant high two -story spaces and volume
<br />throughout the entire space, an arcade canopy, and entrances to the retail. He then
<br />displayed a slide of a street -view from Stanley Boulevard showing the larger major in a
<br />variety of different materials and textures, the shops beyond with an entry tower, and a
<br />brick and plaster building that would be located directly at the entrance at the corner.
<br />He stated that the materials are rich and varied, a combination of brick and stone
<br />veneer, plaster, standing metal roof, and metal awnings, with interesting lighting and
<br />up- lighting both in the courtyards and the buildings.
<br />Finally, Mr. Rodrigues displayed a slide showing the entire connection to the residential
<br />community, entering from a vehicular standpoint, peeling off and pulling into the retail or
<br />back onto this highly textured urban plaza that doubles as a vehicular drop -off and a
<br />pedestrian plaza on both sides, with outdoor dining patios that would work directly off
<br />the restaurant tenants, and a large trellis feature with large landscaping, trees, and a
<br />water feature. He noted that this plaza might be similar to what they did at the Bernal
<br />Plaza, the Pleasanton Gateway project right on the corner, which is up -lit at night. He
<br />added that when the tenant spaces are leased, it will be a very attractive outdoor dining
<br />space for the climate in this area which is fantastic and conducive to this type of retail.
<br />Rob Steinberg stated that one of their goals regarding the residential area is to develop
<br />not one project but a village; a collection of buildings, with each of the villages having its
<br />own personality, its own character. He indicated that they have made quite a number of
<br />changes working with the neighbors and with staff, such as a redesigning a lot of the
<br />internal streets so they meet the Guidelines, such that they are like public streets with
<br />parallel parking on both sides, plant strips, nice sidewalks, and very conducive to
<br />pedestrians. He noted that each of the clusters have quite generous open space and
<br />quite a bit of common open space for different types of activity that are shared between
<br />each of the villages that begins to link them together. He added that adjacent to the
<br />plaza and interface between the retail and the housing, they have added a large open
<br />space with both hardscape and softscape, places where people could go and throw a
<br />football or play soccer, benches and places to watch. This is an example in the upper
<br />left of one of the open spaces. He indicated that each of the villages has places for an
<br />outdoor fireplace, barbeque, fountains, seating, and a tot lot, and the open space is
<br />used for pedestrian linkage throughout the site connecting each of the villages.
<br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2012 Page 25 of 40
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