PC 022614 - Laserfiche WebLink

3. Remove direct access from West Las Positas Boulevard to the open space area of the project. Access to the project open space along West Las Positas Boulevard was relocated and the entrance was gated for added security. Individual apartment units along West Las Positas Boulevard will still have direct access to the public sidewalk, but private open space remains secure and closed. 4. Consider relocating the pool area away from the southern portion of the site to reduce visibility and noise impact to the Parkside neighborhood, and design a noise barrier for the pool area. The open space component of the project was redesigned by relocating the swimming pool to the central portion of the site in order to increase the distance between the pool and the Parkside neighborhood. A connecting wall between Buildings C and D was also added and a six -foot tall wall was incorporated along the southern property line; both will act as additional noise barriers. 5. Provide more trees and shrubs to screen the project from view by the Parkside neighborhood; save the existing Eucalyptus and Palm trees along the southern property line; provide visual representations of the landscape screening at the three -, five -, and ten -year growth periods. All existing trees along the southern property line be preserved, and an evergreen hedge row has been added along the entire southern property line. A row of large evergreen trees will also be planted at the same location all the way along the property line, with additional planting of a series of large evergreen Southern Live Oaks in the parking area to provide additional screening. This will provide a three -tier landscape for buffer. Slides showed the three -year, five -year, and ten -year growth for landscaping, and for comparison purposes, the current view of the existing commercial building versus the proposed project with a ten -year landscape growth. At the January Work Session, the Commission suggested a redesign of the roofs of Buildings C and D to provide more visual interest and variation. Slides of visual simulations showed the redesigned roof with blended roof tiles and added dormers with vents, not windows, to improve the visual character of the roofs. 6. Provide more architectural detail and potentially darken the white exterior color of the buildings. The revised plans show updated architecture with elevations that highlighted the changes made, including: • Wooden gates at entries to the patios • More awnings • Rafter tails PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 26, 2014 Page 6 of 21