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ANALYSIS Conditional uses are those uses which, by their nature, require special consideration so they may be located properly with respect to the objectives of the Municipal Code and with respect to their effects on surrounding properties. In order to achieve these purposes, the Planning Commission is empowered to approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications for use permits. Staff notes the Downtown Hospitality Guidelines are intended to minimize the impacts of the proposed use on neighboring uses and compliance allows for expedited CUP application processing and review. General Plan and Specific Plan Consistency The subject parcel has a General Plan Land Use Designation of "Retail/Highway/Service Commercial; Business and Professional Offices," which allows for a wide range of commercial and office uses consistent with the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed project, which would contain a commercial use, is consistent with this land use designation as it would provide a bar to serve residents of Pleasanton and its market area. Staff believes the proposed project is also consistent with the General Plan Land Use Policies and Programs listed below, as the proposed project will: (1) introduce more activity/vitality to the subject site with a new commercial use; and (2) introduce a commercial use into the Downtown where other similar commercial uses operate. Sustainability Program 2.2: Encourage the reuse of vacant and underutilized parcels and buildings within existing urban areas. Industrial, Commercial and Office Policy 12: Preserve the character of Downtown while improving its commercial and residential viability and preserving the traditions of its small-town character. Policy 13: Ensure that neighborhood, community, and regional commercial centers provide goods and services needed by residents and businesses of Pleasanton and its market area. In addition, the subject site is located within the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) Area and is therefore subject to policies of the DSP. The subject site is designated Downtown Commercial with the Active Ground Floor Uses Overlay. The Land Use and Design, and Economic Vitality chapters of the recently adopted Downtown Specific Plan encourage "active ground floor uses" within the Active Ground Floor Use Overlay. An active ground floor use is defined as a use that promotes an active pedestrian environment on the ground floor of a commercial building, and includes retail establishments, restaurants, bars and brew pubs, art and craft studios, and other uses determined by the Director of Community Development. Leasing first-floor tenant spaces to active uses is a priority of the Downtown Specific Plan because active uses add interest to the streetscape and encourage pedestrian activity. In addition, active uses are more likely to remain open in the evenings and on weekends. This draws customers and thereby P20-0987, Gilman Brewing Company Planning Commission 5 of 8 ate of streamlining the zoning code and hoped the design standards would complement the code. Ms. Clark stated the City wanted to remove laborious, uncertain design review and the purpose of the exercise was to ensure the Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 7 December 9, 2020 te quality development that fit the style and feel of Pleasanton. Commissioner Pace inquired if the standards being provided were real life examples relative to the standards that Mr. Williams had judged as successful or not, and whether the Commissioners were to review to see if they were aligned with the designation. Mr. Williams Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 7 December 9, 2020