2_Exhibits I-J - Laserfiche WebLink

EXHIBIT J: PUBLIC COMMENTS _ PL S�INTON `�I TIS PLEA,STON CHAMBER COMMERCE June 14,2019 Dear City of Pleasanton Planning Commissioners, This'letter is in reference to the Downtown Specific Plan Update that will be discussed at your June 26"meeting. The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce has been very supportive of an update to the Downtown Specific Plan(DSPs ever since this process started over two years ago and we thank the Task Force for all their hard work. Our position from the beginning was to be sure the updated DSP would increase vitality in our downtown,clean up inconsistencies in the building code so property owners and developers have consistent language when contemplating projects downtown, and include planning for additional parking in the core of downtown.. We believe many of these goals have been met with the DSP Draft Update Report except for any serious discussion of new parking_ The Downtown Specific Plan includes no physical plans for a substantial increase in public parking or a parking garage near the downtown core. Nor does it include a serious commitment to plan and create substantial public parking near the downtown core. This is a fundamental flaw in this Plan,and needs to be corrected. The Pleasanton Downtown Association,the Chamber of Commerce,as well as the merchants and customers from downtown have repeatedly pointed out that lack of parking is driving customers away from downtown_ There will be no increase in customers,new buildings,or vitality without the necessary parking infrastructure_ We ask that this flaw be corrected prior to adoption of the Downtown Specific Plan_ We also encourage the Planning Commission to eliminate any wording that prohibits the consideration of parking meters in the future. While we know meters may not be an option at this time,there is no reason to eliminate them for consideration in the future,especially since this is a 20-year document Lastly,we do support a majority of the Task Force's recommendations that were made on May 28 except for the Active Ground Floor Overlay_ Please see below for more detail on our positions on the key issues as we see them. Massage Regulations-The recommended city-wide approach to updating our massage regulations will provide a consistent and fair approach for our downtown massage businesses_We look forward to seeing Pleasanton Municipal Code Chapter 6.24 updated as soon as possible to make these changes a reality. Active Ground Floor Overlay-We have consistently been opposed to this policy since we do not believe the Overlay will stimulate vibrancy downtown. By limiting the types of businesses that can operate in the Overlay,we will be making it more difficult for land owners to find new tenants thereby leading to more empty storefronts. Even though we know there is an opportunity for an exception for tenant space that is vacant for over 6 months that must be approved by the Community Development Director,we feel this process would provide too much subjectivity and delay. Current economic conditions and customer demand should drive what types of businesses operate in the Downtown Overlay. • Prepared for the June 26, 2019, Planning Commission Meeting 30 Show underground utilities (sewer,gas,electric, water); location of backflow preventers,aboveground electrical utilities, boxes,transformers, meter mains. fire standpipes, etc.; overhead utilities, location of existing joint poles. Plans should indicate any utilities to be remove°and/or se'vices placed underground o. Street Improvement Plan: Plans indicating the proposed street improvements. The plans need to contain dimensions and detail to show right-of-way and pavement widths, street grades, indications if they are public or private streets, and all proposed frontage improvements on existing and proposed streets; provide a typical street section for each Revised October 2018 Page 5 or 6 Prepared for the June 26, 2019, Planning Commission Meeting 20 2019, Planning Commission Meeting 19 of 6 Prepared for the June 26, 2019, Planning Commission Meeting 18 goals established under SB 32 and EO S-3-05,implementation of the 26 ntal 24 iteria air pollutants 23