2_Exhibits I-J - Laserfiche WebLink

EXHIBIT J: PUBLIC COMMENTS ESAN' � � ATN- j _- i7 \„u► 15-1:r A'tAwroiu DOWN-OWN ASSCCIA'ICN June 13,2019 Planning Commission Members City of Pleasanton P.O.Box 520 Pleasanton,CA 94566 Dear Downtown Specific Plan Task Force Members, The Board of Directors of the Pleasanton Downtown Association has spent countless hours engaged in the process of updating the Downtown Specific Plan.This document is vital to the current and future success of our incredible district We truly appreciate the work that has gone into this update process thus far and we appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts on the ideas and directions presented in the draft new plan_ There are several key issues and concerns we have in the draft document that we feel are not in the best interest of our downtown and we ask that the Task Force take a closer look at the potential impacts and implications of these items. 1. Building Height&FAR One of the goals of this update process is to streamline and simplify the planning process in downtown.With that in mind,we would like to see more consistency throughout the document in regards to building height&FAR.We strongly recommend allowing 300% FAR throughout downtown(as it is currently)and not having varying FAIR in the new MUD(recommended at 150%)and MUT(recommended at 125%)districts.This seems counterproductive to wanting to maximize the use of space in downtown especially when it comes to potential redevelopment on the current Civic Center location. Additionally,we strongly encourage the task force to reconsider the height restrictions being recommended in these new districts.We see no reason why height cannot be consistent at 40'in the CC district and the MIJT district.Further,we believe it is shortsighted to not allow for greater height with new development in the core of the MUD district.We would like to see that district allow for up to 46'to provide options and alternatives if and when the project moves forward. We also believe the hours of operation should be consistent throughout the CC,MUD and MIJT districts. z. Active Ground Floor Overlay Overall our Board is in support of aan Active Ground Floor Use Overlay in the commercial district of Downtown.However, for this to be successful and achieve its desired intent, we do not believe it can exist in a vacuum. • We do not support the extension of this overlay beyond ground floor on Main Prepared for the June 26, 2019, Planning Commission Meeting 4 proposed Plan,as set forth above in Section II.D,against the significant unavoidable impacts of the Plan identified in the Draft EIR(and discussed above in Section II.A). The City Council hereby determines that those benefits outweigh the risks and adverse environmental impacts of the Plan,and further determines that the Plan's significant unavoidable impacts are acceptable. Accordingly, the City Council adopts the Statement of Overriding Considerations, recognizing that significant unavoidable impacts will result from implementation of the Plan.Having(i)adopted all feasible mitigation measures,as stated herein and discussed in the Draft EIR;(ii) rejected alternatives to the Plan, as stated herein and discussed in the Draft EIR;and(iii) recognized the significant unavoidable impacts of the Plan, the City Council hereby finds that each of the separate benefits of the proposed Plan, as stated herein, is determined to be unto itself an overriding consideration, independent of other benefits, that warrants approval of the Plan and outweighs and overrides its significant unavoidable impacts,and thereby justifies the approval of the City of Pleasanton Downtown Specific Plan. 27 would result in an operational emissions increase of 4,000 MTCO2e per year and an energy consumption increase of 168,000 million BTU per year compared to existing conditions. While the Plan would not be sufficient to align downtown Pleasanton's emissions trajectory with the goals established under SB 32 and EO S-3-05,implementation of the 26 ntal 24 iteria air pollutants 23