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Discussion Questions: <br />(1) Do you support the move of the Civic Center /Library to the Bernal Property site? <br />(2) Do you have any comments on any aspect of the draft Civic Center/Library <br />Master Plan? <br />Commissioner Brown: Yes, I support the move. I think it's a good use. No other <br />comments. <br />Commissioner Nagler: Yes, and the reason I support the move is because of the <br />economics of it, sort of at the basis. There is no land cost here because the City owns <br />both properties, so the other question is how do you finance construction? And more <br />than anything else, the move helps pay for the new construction. <br />Commissioner Balch: I'm cautious about it. I'm not sold, but I'm not saying no. You <br />know, not serving on the task force, I'll just show you my basis for why I'm concerned <br />and then it may have been considered and it may not have been, but you know, the one <br />thing the employees of City Hall do provide is an economic base for the downtown. <br />Dinner, lunches, meals, you know you're an employer in the City just like everyone else <br />along Main Street and downtown and I'm sure they've looked at that. But, frankly when <br />we talk about City Hall being the heart of the community I really appreciate City Hall <br />being downtown right here. I really have appreciated it because I cannot begin to count <br />the number of times where I've had lunch meetings with people and the walking <br />relationship and sharing of food and beverages is very good to have, and I just worry <br />this is one block too far. That being said, I completely understand the economics. <br />Dolan: Does it make you feel any better if you think about it in terms of downtown after <br />this is all said and done will be one block closer? <br />Commissioner Balch: It is, but you know, and that's where it's a little difficult to decide <br />what would be there, not seeing it, with the housing on one side of Bernal and the other <br />side for example; the apartments built. I can see it could come together. I don't want to <br />say no, but there's something nice about our downtown landing into our city complex. I <br />mean, I personally think there's something nice about that and I like the fact that our <br />City events, at least for us, the Library, City Hall in the downtown just fits well and I'm <br />not saying this is terribly far. I mean we all know it's virtually two blocks, right, but I'm <br />nervous. <br />In terms of my overall design plans which are Number 2 comments, I think you've got to <br />go three stories on the parking structure and even talking about a four -story would be <br />necessary as your expansion. I don't think two would even get you down the block. I <br />think you're going to be giving a little bit to Ace whether you like it or not because I'm <br />sure they don't own the Fair's parking lot right next door and they seem to love it for the <br />last week in June and the first week in July, and this is awfully convenient right across <br />the street, especially when Pleasanton Avenue and Bernal get improved even stronger. <br />So I would like to see the parking structure be larger and I would like, as Commissioner <br />Nagler argued, that parking on the grade be refrained or restricted or reduced as much <br />as possible. I think the non - permeable asphalt surface is difficult to overcome. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 28, 2016 Page 6 of 32 <br />