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Leisa Jatczak, attendee , reported main themes from Breakout Room No . 6 including proposed entrance <br />and exit areas; uses of space supporting the pedestrian plaza and walkability ; safety with Police <br />substation at the mall ; height limits of the property; need for conference areas ; and types of housing. <br />Sarah Hosterman , Assistant Landscape Architect , reported main themes from Breakout Room No . 7 <br />including the need for multiple access points, interior walking paths, elementary school to reduce <br />carbon footprint, safety , and cleanliness, eliminating exterior parking and reworking the site, and <br />incorporating other modes of travel. <br />Lori Escobar, attendee , reported main themes from Breakout Room No. 8 including multiple access <br />points with overarching main entrance , multiuse path from BART station, mix of green space , interior <br />mall , upgrade existing structure and build around it , concerns regarding mandates for housing ; and <br />concerns around water, electricity and overcrowding of schools . <br />Commissioner Brown stated the goal statement was on point. He discussed the benefits of the ring <br />road although there was no central anchor point; limited connectivity to the bike / pedestrian side ; <br />preference for the focal po int to be on the interior, a combination of restaurants and a movie theater to <br />provide a sense of purpose and destination , for the uses to define the entrance and exit points , rather <br />than an artificial anchor point ; need to consider traffic with a potential shift from work from home ; need <br />to have a high enough density to create subterranean parking and private spaces ; questions on tax <br />revenue ; and whether there was an opportunity to split the anchor spaces into three to create smaller <br />retail spaces . <br />Vice Chair Gaidos suggested an emphasis on safety in the theme ; the primary entrance off Foothill <br />Road ; and place making features including a Police substation and open outdoor spaces. He discussed <br />the challenge of several different owners and the need to determine where the real estate development <br />would occur for the ingress and egress . <br />Commissioner Morgan indicated support for the goal statement. He stated he wanted to understand the <br />process for engaging the owners and suggested the possibility of an agreement to comprehensively <br />develop the property and suggested consideration of housing on the upper floors . He stated traffic and <br />safety concerns need to be addressed . <br />Commissioner Nibert stated he liked the draft goal statement ; there was no primary and secondary <br />entrance , and it would be nice to have identity and character of a primary entrance , with several <br />secondary entrances. He agreed w ith reconsideration for housing with retail ground floors . He <br />reiterated comments indicating the least support for a main street approach , desire for a destination , <br />residential needs , green space , pedestrian oriented plaza with entertainment and shops , and hub of <br />activity for all seasons . He stated the mall must not look the same as the current mall and parking <br />should be reconfigured. He discussed concerns with safety and traffic and indicated support for <br />increased police presence . He discussed other areas for study including the need to better understand <br />impacts on schools ; questions about the property owners ' thoughts and intentions ; agreements for <br />equ itable uses ; different type of atmosphere from Downtown ; involvement and thoughts from other <br />surrounding businesses ; amount of investment from owners compared to needs and impact to City <br />finances ; tax revenue with mix of uses ; and understanding of State housing mandates. <br />Commissioner Allen thanked the public for its input. She stated she liked the goal statement. She <br />concurred that the ring road assisted with access and there were multiple access points which should <br />be retained to allow flexibility . She stated the bias would be from Foothill and the freeway area . She <br />concurred with the prior comments on place making and the need for a strong walkable area ; the need <br />to rework parking , with subterranean and one or two large structures ; and the design of the mall <br />needed to compliment Downtown and not create competition . She stated further study was needed to <br />understand what the owners were willing to do or not do to ensure the right scope for the project. She <br />Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 September 26 , 2022