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huge retail development there unless he or she had a brilliant, fairy-type project that <br />was so destination - oriented that it would be successful. <br />Ms. Olson stated that there is acknowledgement in the current DTSP that the site would <br />be a desired parking lot, which PDA would support to help meet the Downtown's <br />parking issues, especially at the north end of Main Street. She indicated that she is not <br />proposing an answer for what the project should be; however, the residential <br />component is a huge concern to PDA as it impacts vibrancy and Downtown parking. <br />Commissioner Nagler stated that the thing he has always wanted was in fact to have an <br />active retail location, and activity for retail is dependent upon having customers. He <br />indicated that what he does not understand is why the PDA would be opposed to a <br />mixed -use project. He acknowledged that a purely residential would be a concern, but <br />a mixed -use project that is basically balanced 50/50 between retail and residential <br />provides an interesting use of an important parcel of land as well as an upgrade to the <br />basic aesthetic architecture of the block. He added that it pays obeisance to the <br />existing architecture and provides a handful of additional customers to Downtown <br />businesses. <br />Ms. Olson stated that going through the Downtown Hospitality Guidelines Task Force <br />three years ago was extremely painful and disappointing for Downtown businesses. <br />She noted that they had to over - compromise in order to accommodate the very loud <br />desire of the residents in Downtown to quiet Downtown businesses. She pointed out <br />that Downtown is a commercial district first and foremost, and the PDA represents the <br />businesses Downtown. She acknowledged that there are residential units within the <br />Downtown district, but these residential units are not part of the PDA. <br />Ms. Olson stated that PDA is hitting the point where it is only a few years out of this <br />really painful process and something that Downtown businesses are still kind of bitter <br />about, and it still is not doing what PDA needs it to do entirely to meet the needs of its <br />businesses to add the desired vibrancy. She pointed out that one can read over and <br />over again in any of the local publications that Pleasanton does not have a vibrant <br />Downtown; that it does not have a nightlife, and that it does not have the activity that <br />would draw the crowds that the businesses want. She indicated that residential units in <br />Downtown hurts that and puts pressure on it, especially when residential units will be <br />placed behind five parcels in a City block that currently has retail and restaurants inside <br />them. <br />Commissioner Nagler asked Ms. Olson to confirm that his understanding of her <br />statement that residential use does not mix well in the Downtown because of complaints <br />from the residents. <br />Ms. Olson said yes. She acknowledged that there are people who live in the Downtown <br />who support the Downtown and shop and dine there, but they are also the first ones to <br />complain especially when there are rentals that will turn over. She pointed out that they <br />do not know the tenancy and whether there is a good neighbor policy. She added that it <br />is not a right to do a business ordinance, and it does not provide enough protection for <br />businesses Downtown. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 9, 2015 Page 19 of 40 <br />