PC 072314 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Preiss thanked staff for its response to his email. He indicated that he has worked with a lot of Pleasanton staff over the years and noted that Pleasanton has an excellent staff. He added that he would be glad to answer any questions and that Vulcan is looking forward to responding to this proposal in a proper manner. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Piper stated that she drove down El Charro Road today and noted that it is a short distance between the freeway off -ramp and the right turn into the Auto Mall from Stoneridge Drive. She indicated that there must have been some pretty compelling reasons why it was not approved the first time around and requested some background on that. She added that it seems like it made a whole lot of sense to have an access there so the dealership can be accessed more quickly. Mr. Dolan stated that the applicants talked to staff about the project and expressed an interest in having an access there, and staff's first reaction was that, first, the Specific Plan did not allow it; and second, there is a private agreement that was put into place, as accurately described by Mr. Preiss. Mr. Dolan continued that the applicants then inquired what they would have to do if they wanted that access, and staff replied that they would have to get a Specific Plan Amendment and an amendment to the Pre - Development and Cooperation Agreement; and the applicants included this in the application they submitted. Mr. Dolan stated that the City cannot approve this proposal without a Specific Plan Amendment and without the approval of all parties to the Agreement. He added that staff is not necessarily in favor of the additional access, and Mike Tassano, City Traffic Engineer, actually expressed some concerns about it, particularly as originally proposed. He requested Mr. Tassano to explain his concerns about safety and how the access is designed to at least minimize safety concerns. Mike Tassano added a third reason that the General Plan discourages arterials from having new driveways. He stated that when the applicants brought this request forward, his initial reaction was a straight - forward "No." He indicated that it just does not make sense because this section of El Charro Road is very short from the freeway to the free - flowing right -turn lane that goes all the way up to the signal onto Stoneridge Drive. He noted that the applicants were pretty adamant that the access would help their business to have some sort of quick access there, and Mr. Tassano replied that the City would contemplate an "in- only" access as long as there was a design that moved the right -turn vehicles out of the southbound right -turn lane, giving them another additional pocket. He stated that he did not want to limit the applicants' business plan, and the "in" is what they are looking for; they want to get people in there and buy a car, and it is probably fine with them if it takes longer for the customers to get out. He added that the design still looks strange and is not one that he has really seen before; however, there are several locations where vehicles come off the freeway and make a right turn into a property. Mr. Tassano stated that one of the things he wanted to stay away from was a "right -turn out." He indicated that a lot of auto dealerships most likely have a regional draw, so if the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 23, 2014 Page 6 of 14