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that office upstairs because that is where he would like to put his law office. He stated <br />that this is a phenomenal project and urged the Commission to approve it. <br />Chair Allen asked Mr. Blaha how many employees he had. <br />Mr. Blaha replied that he has three full -time employees and shares office space with <br />four other attorneys, three of whom are there every day, and the fourth comes in on <br />Thursdays. He added that they do not plan to use any of the spaces in the parking lot <br />and plan to work out an arrangement with the Firehouse Art Center to donate to the <br />Center for their employees to park at the Center's parking lot. <br />Carolyn Cardinalli stated that she and her brother are part of Antonini Properties and <br />own properties Downtown on Ray Street, directly behind the proposed project. She <br />indicated that the proposed three -story residential buildings are very close to their <br />property line, right at the backyard of their tenants. She added that she had heard the <br />applicant will be installing a six -foot tall fence between their properties and requested <br />that the fence be solid, its height raised to eight feet, and installed prior to the demolition <br />of the existing building for the security and privacy of their tenants who live in the tri- <br />plexes behind the project site. <br />Mr. Grant stated that 30 feet high is equivalent to a two -story retail building and that its <br />view from Main Street is very appropriate in scale. He then addressed tandem parking <br />with respect to whether or not it is appropriate or and would be sufficient, and how it is <br />sensitive to the Downtown location. He indicated that tandem parking is what cities are <br />looking at, and every city on the corridor is now acknowledging that it is appropriate. He <br />added that it also addresses the fact that Downtown locations are functioning differently, <br />and people who live Downtown expect it to work differently. He noted that all of the <br />maneuvering is on a private road, so there will be no backing out from someone else's <br />driveway onto Spring Street. <br />Mr. Grant stated that he has discussed the in -lieu parking fee with staff and that there <br />are three recent Downtown projects that have done the same: Pastime Plaza's fee had <br />been waived as the developer provided for a mini -park; and the projects at 725 Main <br />Street and 377 St. Mary Street will be paying their required in -lieu fees. <br />Mr. Grant stated that the project conforms to the DTSP: the three -story element has <br />been addressed, and it has unique designs as well as variety. He indicated that the <br />project provides a traditional style of architecture and will be a beautiful addition to the <br />Downtown. He added that they have fully complied with every one of the aspects of the <br />General Plan, the Downtown Specific Plan Guidelines, and the GreenPoint rating <br />program. He stated that this is a good project and requested the Commission to <br />support it. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that Mr. Grant mentioned there are no three - bedroom/ <br />three -bath units, but the plans appear to have three bedrooms and three - and -a -half <br />baths. <br />Mr. Grant replied that there are three - bedroom units, and there is also a small bedroom <br />and bathroom with a shower on the ground level. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 9, 2015 Page 21 of 40 <br />