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Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the private access gates are on the north side or the <br />south side of the Arroyo. <br />Commissioner Pearce stated that they are on the south side, the Parkside site. <br />Commissioner O'Connor noted that the south side would be on the opposite side of this <br />development. <br />Commissioner Pearce said yes. <br />Commissioner Allen replied that was correct. <br />Commissioner O'Connor asked if no one today on the north side has direct access. <br />Commissioner Allen said that was correct. <br />Commissioner Pearce stated that she just wanted to have the conversation because it did <br />not look like the Commission had a conversation about a gate. She noted that there was a <br />conversation about eliminating access from West Las Positas Boulevard through the <br />property and that it is certainly not what she wants; that she is not looking for some kind of <br />cut - through. She indicated that it seemed to her to be an issue of fairness and something <br />that was appropriate if it is an amenity in terms of living, such as a park. She noted that <br />there are residences that back up to all kinds of parks, such as a sports park or aquatics <br />center, and there are gates that go right out to the park. She added that it seems like it is a <br />benefit of living there, and she did not want to discount a conversation with regard to this <br />simply because this is higher- density housing. She stated that she thinks all residences <br />that back up to these public amenities deserve the same kind of access, so she wanted to <br />have this conversation ahead of a Council conversation which she was certain would <br />happen on the exact same topic. <br />Chair Olson stated that he will weigh in in favor of the neighborhood's view that there <br />should be no access. He indicated that it syncs up with what he said during the Work <br />Session. He noted that the Commission heard early on with this project from the Parkside <br />neighbors that the Arroyo presents them with problems from time to time; things go on in <br />there, out there, just on the other side of their fences, and he did not think the Commission <br />should be contributing to that. <br />Commissioner O'Connor added that beyond that, he thinks the north side was developed <br />as industrial and that it was never contemplated that there would be public access on that <br />side. He indicated that he thinks this is a unique situation where if that had all been <br />residential on the north side, they would have this same access as the south side does. He <br />added that it is just a little unique that a piece of property right in the middle of an industrial <br />area was rezoned, and no one contemplated that. He noted that they still do have access, <br />and it is not that far away to come down the side alley. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 26, 2014 Page 15 of 21 <br />