PC 090821 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Commissioner Allen's inquiry about setbacks, Ms. Bonn referenced page 9. Mr. Williams explained the intent to provide a landscape buffer from the property line. Chair Brown confirmed the setback still applied even with a 10-foot fence. Commissioner Allen confirmed the front setback was 10 feet. Mr. Williams discussed the large streets in Pleasanton and transition from old commercial sites to residential properties while providing ample landscaping that was not excessive. Commissioner Allen mentioned market-based housing and the newer Las Positas developments, Andares, indicating the setback seemed further than 10 feet. She suggested the possibility of further clarity for certain exceptions. Commissioner Morgan stated he could also visualize buildings where more than 10 feet would be necessary. Commissioner Allen suggested exceptions for a certain height and/or a certain adjacency. Ms. Clark discussed the design principle that the wider the street, the greater the need for buildings to be closer to the street to visually define the street edge. Mr. Williams stated he would review the standard and look for a middle ground; he discussed the Andares project, with a much wider setback that created a disconnect from the street. Ms. Clark referenced the Vintage development, with a successful smaller setback. Commissioner Gaidos discussed the difficulty in creating objective standards to apply to multiple, different locations throughout the City. He suggested the possibility of regional standards. Chair Brown stated that would create specific plans. He asked if an objective design standard could be created based on the road surface area. Mr. Williams stated he would review for addressing flexibility. Chair Brown asked if the comments would be brought back to the Commission for further consideration. Ms. Clark confirmed that staff would incorporate the comments and bring the matter back to the Commission prior to it going to the City Council. Commissioner Morgan suggested the standards be applied to the proposed Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) properties. Ms. Clark stated the standards were tailored to the nine sites in the last Housing Element, but a future round of Objective Standards would address new Housing Element sites. Commissioner Gaidos asked if the proposed standards would apply to future development projects. Ms. Clark discussed regulations for specific zoning and the standards would append specificity to existing codes. Commissioner Morgan discussed the opportunity to continually improve the standards as appropriate. Ms. Clark spoke to the experience of the City's consultant and existing and future desired conditions. Mr. Williams stated the standards should be a living document. Commissioner Morgan expressed confidence that criteria for medium density projects would serve Pleasanton's needs. He suggested that staff take extra time and effort to develop standards for higher density projects since we have less experience with those projects. Commissioner Nibert inquired about the standard for paseos requiring 30 square feet of glazing for each 20 linear feet of the paseo. Mr. Williams explained that paseos should not have blank walls and should be easily surveyed, understanding the need for privacy but ensuring a pedestrian walk similar to a sidewalk. Commissioner Nibert confirmed that glazing referred to windows; he then asked about the restrictions on irrigation. Mr. Williams confirmed the intent to limit water use. Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 10 September 8, 2021 the State's requirements by developing objective design standards and procedures. Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 10 September 8, 2021