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Mr. Grant stated that they designed it so that the exposure of that building corner is <br />really significant and stands out. <br />Commissioner Nagler inquired why no parking is provided and how they think the <br />building is viable without providing parking, given the challenges of parking Downtown. <br />James Knuppe replied that parking is obtained up the road from the railroad property, <br />which is available for lease for additional parking if needed. <br />Mr. Beaudin stated that staff had some questions about the viability of doing a parking <br />agreement, which is not part of anything staff has seen as part of this application. He <br />added that staff would need to fully understand that as a solution with retail, and it would <br />also be helpful if the applicant can do that. <br />Michael Knuppe stated that he is a 30 -year resident of Pleasanton, and they have just <br />recently completed a very similar infill project Downtown on Peters Avenue and Angela <br />Street: the 1906 house owned by the first blacksmith in Pleasanton, a gentleman by the <br />name of Downing Trade. He indicated that they have done their best to try to faithfully <br />recreate and restore that 1906 house, and he believes that they have done a pretty <br />good job. He noted that he just wants to come from the family's perspective that they <br />are domiciled here, that Pleasanton is their life blood, and that they are going to do the <br />best job they possibly can. <br />With respect to this project, Mr. Knuppe stated that this is a very narrow piece and that <br />they have done a lot of compromising in relation to the structure itself. He noted that <br />they have already lowered the roof ridge because the Fire Department could not get its <br />hook and ladder in there to get to the top. <br />With respect to the retail, Mr. Knuppe stated that they have owned retail shopping <br />centers for over 35 years as a family business, and the successful ones are those that <br />have frontage. He noted that they are not going to get pedestrian people walking down <br />an alleyway, and it is not wide enough to get parking in there, so part of the issue is <br />trying to draw retail traffic. He indicated that they have also been very successful with <br />executive leasing as well as housing in the Downtown area, and there is a demand for <br />that. He further indicated that they have over 15 people waiting to lease these houses <br />as soon as they are done. He stated that they are trying to invite vibrancy and bring <br />income back to the Downtown area. He added that people are downsizing, and this is <br />new housing people seem to want. <br />Mr. Knuppe stated that losing a unit to further retail would be problematic, and they <br />would have to crunch those numbers to see if it would make this site viable. He added <br />that they could actually use that office as retail above and below, and they would be <br />happy to do that if they needed more retail. <br />Mark Kearns, owner of 261 Spring Street, stated that he owned an inspection company, <br />"Specialty Inspections," not a pest control company, and they do home inspections, <br />termite inspections, roof inspections, and things of that nature. He indicated that he has <br />five full -time office staff, and his inspectors come in the morning, generate their reports, <br />and go out in the field all day; they do not return until the next morning. He stated that <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 26, 2015 Page 31 of 43 <br />