PC 022614 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Ebrahimi stated that he would begin with a summary of the study sessions and neighborhood meetings that they have participated in to develop the current design. He indicated that the Commission and City staff asked them to make a strong effort to reach out to the community about the project, and they believe that their outreach efforts have positive results for everyone. He stated that their outreach efforts have included the following: • Community open house on September 4, 2013; • Planning Commission Work Session on September 11, 2013; • Individual outreach with neighbors in September and October of 2013; • Neighborhood meeting on October 6, 2013; • Community meeting on October 20, 2013; • Distributed a FAQ sheet and met with neighbors to review and go over all issues in November 2013; and • Planning Commission Work Session on January 22, 2014. Mr. Ebrahimi stated that when they presented their project to the Commission at its first Work Session in September 2013, the Commission provided positive feedback on the proposed design, gave several suggestions, and encouraged them to continue to meet with the neighbors, hear their concerns, and work with them to come up with a viable solution that would work for this site and the neighborhood. He noted that staff had summarized the project well, and he would like to give just a little more detail on how they came about these changes and how they were incorporated into the project. He indicated that the Commission gave eight recommendations: 1. Provide a two -story view of Buildings C and D from the vantage point of the Parkside neighborhood; do not increase the heights of Buildings A and B, the four -story buildings along West Las Positas Boulevard. The units on Buildings C and D were redesigned to eliminate the third story of the units facing the Parkside neighborhood while keeping the three -story element facing north towards the interior of the project site. While this design eliminates the third floor requested by the Parkside neighborhood, it also limits the number of units that must be relocated elsewhere in the project, thereby avoiding the need to increase the heights of Buildings A and B. A slide illustrated the two -story portion of Buildings C and D, which is visible from the south, which the three -story portion is visible from the north towards West Las Positas Boulevard. 2. Increase the open space grass area within the project. The size of the open field in the central area was increased while still complying with the Statewide water ordinance. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 26, 2014 Page 5 of 21