Laserfiche WebLink
appreciates staff requesting that applicants include pictures and photo simulations to give the <br /> Commissioners a better visual of the project. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor commented that he is pleased that staff sets the right expectations <br /> for applicants, not letting them off easy in the beginning so by the time they get to Planning <br /> Commission, they know what the Commission expects. <br /> Commissioner Brown commented that he agrees that the workshops are a great idea, however <br /> much of the time the applicants do not make the changes suggested and come back to the <br /> Commission with the same design. <br /> Chair Allen agreed that workshops allow the applicant and Commissioner to discuss options <br /> and ideas before heavy investment is put into a final design. She also stated that having <br /> visuals of alternative designs is helpful. <br /> Commissioner Ritter agreed with the other Commissioners on the importance of the <br /> workshops and suggested that the City get a more streamlined process for determining what is <br /> allowable as far as the Zoning Code is concerned. <br /> Mr. Beaudin replied that the City needs to complete a good baseline Zoning Code and that <br /> having specific design principles embedded in City policy will help give clarity. <br /> Commissioner Balch stated that there is a lot of inconsistency in the City's policy documents. <br /> Mr. Williams replied that Planning policy documents are `living documents' and go through <br /> changes, edits, and discrepancies in interpretation so they must be updated occasionally. <br /> Chair Allen mentioned that she appreciates the Commission looking strategically at certain <br /> streets or areas when receiving initial development projects and consider the implications for <br /> future developments in the area. She would like to see staff and Commissioners viewing the <br /> initial project as a model for the future of the area. <br /> Mr. Beaudin commented that due to State-wide legislative proposals the City is losing local <br /> discretion. Therefore, it is very important that we put our expectations (numerical and <br /> objective) in writing. <br /> THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. <br /> Chair Allen asked and confirmed there were no other speakers. <br /> THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. <br /> 7. MATTERS INITIATED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS <br /> None <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 January 23, 2019 <br />has opportunities (i.e. Downtown Specific Plan, East <br /> Pleasanton, Housing Element, etc.) in the near future to put this suggested action into practice. <br /> Commissioner Brown discussed different types of parking with Mr. Williams who stated that the <br /> current trend is for developers to build as little parking as necessary due to financial <br /> implications so that the expenditures can go towards quality building. <br /> Mr. Beaudin commented that many residential developments are now required to create a <br /> transportation demand management program, which often means subsidizing transit going to <br /> the project or creating their own connections to transit from the project site. Pleasanton has <br /> relied more on the single occupant vehicle model, but for the next housing cycle, will be <br /> looking at not just architecture, design, and site planning, but also the more policy-impacting <br /> aspects of the developments. <br /> Mr. Williams asked the Commissioners to describe what parts of the review process have <br /> worked well. <br /> Commissioner Balch stated that staff has done a great job asking applicants to bring their <br /> project to the Planning Commission as a workshop before they invest heavily in a design. He <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5 January 23, 2019 <br />