PC 041019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Hirst said it would be the hedge. He pointed out that one area is bicycle parking with a locker and rack. Chair Allen inquired over the concern in having a picket fence with openness as a physical barrier. Mr. Schafer said the plan is to implement a hedge as the barrier. Chair Allen said it can take some time for a hedge to grow and fill in to create the barrier. She was trying to understand about having a low, attractive fence. Mr. Hirst said they are trying to maintain openness and not completely isolate the properties. The proponents of the property want to be isolated and this is their right and they could build a fence. Commissioner O'Connor said he heard there is a safety issue with a wall because it might promote loitering or hiding. If there were a four-foot high picket-type fence and a hedge about four feet high, it would be another alternative. Chair Allen suggested the Commission address the discussion points. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Discussion Point 1: Would it be appropriate to rezone the site from the current C-N District to a PUD-C District in order to allow a 24-hour convenience market with the sale of alcoholic beverages and a drive-through car wash in conjunction with the existing gas station? Commissioners unanimously concurred with rezoning of the site. Discussion Point 2: Should the proposed triangular-shaped building be revised to a rectangular-shaped building oriented perpendicular to Hopyard Road, and to eliminate the loading space? Commissioner Balch said he acknowledged the burden that the church has carried but also said the applicant is trying to be a good neighbor through design to help alleviate some of the issues. He likes the applicant's design for the triangular-shaped building and thinks it is a building type that doesn't currently exist in the City of Pleasanton. He said he thinks the orientation is better as a result, thinks the loading space is critical, cited other gas station situations, and said he believes it is a good idea to have a loading zone in this location. Chair Allen said she agrees for the same reasons and added that with the home plate design, it also provides a narrower opening to Hopyard Road and provides the bioswale, which creates blockage and would likely prevent fewer people from parking in the church parking lot. This design is also safer for vehicles when they are reversing versus the rectangular design which backs up on the street, therefore, this design creates more of a buffer zone. Commissioner Balch agreed and said the design has created a safer situation. Planning Commission Minutes Page 8 of 15 April 10, 2019 019 r those exiting the driveway and he did not think it solved anything by shortening the driveway opening. T.C. Sun, Church President since 2002, voiced concern about the existing habitual problem of those parking on the church lot as opposed to parking in the gas station parking lot. He asked that a real barrier be created to change this behavior to stop people from parking on the church property. Mr. Hirst was given the opportunity for a rebuttal, in which he thanked the church for pointing out problems that existed long before the church was there and they agree there is a delivery truck problem, which they have been working to find a solution that hasn't been easy. They want parking in their proposed location in order for the 24-foot trucks to park. They agreed to a setback and landscaping coming all the way to the street, but were not agreeable to a fence. He said people who worship in the church do park and walk through the area and they will continue to do this unless they cannot any longer. Police, post office, Amazon and FedEx Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 15 April 10, 2019