PC 08/14/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . Staff feels the design of the building mitigates the visual massing of the building. There is a total of over 250,000 surplus floor area within the business park and the transfer of 24,000 sq. ft. to this site still keeps the business park well below the limit of square footage and floor area. The two-story building portion will not face Stoneridge Drive and the residential areas. The setbacks significantly exceed the 33 ft. required. A traffic report was prepared, and it was found that the project's generated traffic is within the City's level of service standards. The applicants are required to participate in any funding mechanism required for the West Las Positas freeway interchange. Mr. lserson advised there will be very little hazardous materials on site. Thoratec has also agreed to sign a no-voluntary release of hazardous waste into the environment agreement. The building design will be concrete tilt-up walls, beige in color, recessed windows, arched elements and an entry feature which is 45 feet in height. Staff feels the building design fits in well with the other building designs in the area. Staff has suggested that some of the scored concrete areas be installed with spandrel glass to make it look more like an office building. Thoratec has agreed to this change. Access to the site will be through four driveways (two existing and two new entrances). Parking was discussed at length. With the high amount of floor space being in clean rooms, laboratories and storage, and with the past experience of Thoratec's parking requirements, staff is satisfied that the combined parking lot for the proposed project and the Bank of America building will provide sufficient parking spaces for all customers and employees at the time of final build-out. The Manager of the Bank of America has requested that the parking spaces inunediately adjacent to the bank be stenciled for bank use only. Staff has agreed to this request. Staff is pleased with the landscaping plan proposed by the applicants, with the addition of more parking lot trees; Thoratec has agreed to this change. Mr. Iserson advised that staff did a quite of bid of public noticing to the surrounding residents and businesses within 1,000 feet of the project. One resident communicated to the Planning staff his opposition to the project which include issues of lowered property values, parking, delivery trucks, hazardous materials, etc. Staff believes the staffreport thoroughly addressed his concerns. Staff did not receive any other comments from residents or businesses regarding this application, except for a letter in support of the project from the owner of the adjacent Bank of America property, which was received today and distributed to the Commission. Staff feels the PUD findings can be made, the project is consistent with the General Plan, and recommends approval of PUD-80-16-8M and PUD-80-16-I3D to the City Council. Conunissioner Wright inquired that Exhibit B indicates that if Thoratec does not build, the land use designations would remain as changed. Staff indicated that would be the case. Commissioner Barker spoke to the fact that the applicants were to contribute to the West Las Positas interchange, and she inquired if the words "or traffic mitigations" could be added in case the overpass project does not go forward. Mr. Higdon advised that Thoratec would be part of an Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 August 14, 1996