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particularly on the north side of the street. He added that to have a two -story commercial building right there on that corner is pretty over - bearing. Commissioner Piper asked Mr. Huff if it is more optimal to have a stand -alone residence in the front and multi -units in the back. Mr. Huff said yes; a one -story residence in the front and on the east side as opposed to the west side; and the next unit could be a story- and -a -half. He indicated that he would like to keep the residential feel of the neighborhood. Mike Carey stated that he attended the workshop at which there was conversation about past projects on the site that never moved forward. He indicated that he is not here to speak in detail about anything but would just like to see the City of Pleasanton work with applicants who propose projects that meet the development standards of the zoning district. He encouraged the Commission, if it had any concerns with any elements of a project, to clearly let the applicant know what changes can be made to support development on sites to improve the Downtown, lot by lot. He indicated that Pleasanton is a great place in which to live, that he has lived here since 1973 and raised his family here, and that he loves seeing new things done. He urged the Commission to indicate what it would like to see in a development on this site so the applicant can move forward with something great for this town. Laura Olson, Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA), stated that the PDA sent the Commission a letter, and she is here to elaborate a little bit on PDA's position regarding the Spring Street project. She indicated that in general, the PDA certainly appreciated the time, energy, and effort that the Knuppes have put into this beautiful project, and PDA's issue truly is its location in the commercial core of Downtown, one parcel in from Main Street. She noted that there is a tremendous parking issue in the Downtown, and PDA has a huge desire to recruit and retain vibrant retail, especially on Main Street, and to put residential units directly behind. Ms. Olson stated that the City, with PDA, went through the Downtown Hospitality Guidelines process a few years ago, and the only opposition to increasing vitality Downtown was from Downtown residents. She indicated that PDA does not have a right to have a business ordinance in the City of Pleasanton that allows its businesses to have some teeth when it comes to pushing back against noise concerns, and the proximity of residential to commercial is where it all comes to a head. She noted that if this project were located in the residential area and outside of the commercial core, she would not be here tonight ad it would not be an issue. She added that the proposal is hitting at a time when parking and a desperate need for more retail in the Downtown is its top priority. Commissioner Piper asked Ms. Olson how likely this project would get pedestrian traffic down there if the whole project were all retail lengthwise. Ms. Olson acknowledged that it is a very difficult site, which is why it has seen so many projects proposed and gone away. She noted that one could come to a multitude of PDA committee meetings and hear a multitude of different opinions on what would and would not work at that site, and she believes that no one thinks anyone can just put a PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 9, 2015 Page 18 of 40