PC 09/11/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . Mr. Iserson presented the staff report on the application for (1) design review approval to construct a 13,768 sq. ft. two-story mixed use building consisting of first floor retail and second floor apartment use and (2) a variance from the Municipal Code to allow the construction of three apartment dwelling units without the required private open space. The site is located at 349 Main Street which is the vacant lot of the Exxon gas station. The Alameda County Department of Health has certified the property is cleaned for redevelopment. Mr. Iserson noted that a previously requested variance for parking has been withdrawn. When describing the buildings surrounding this lot, staff advised that the Bank: of America building and parking lot partially surrounds the lot on the south and west sides. Five tenant spaces are indicated for the retail area. A bagel shop, a juice bar, a burrito shop, and craft store are possible uses at this time. The second floor will be seven one-bedroom aparttnents and one two-bedroom unit. Access to the second floor is through two stairways, one from Angela and one from the rear parking area. Mr. Iserson described the building setbacks and the plaza area on Main Street. The plaza would have pedestrian amenities, raised planter area and landscaping, the paving would match the Main Street sidewalk, benches, outdoor dining furniture. The existing palm tree will also be saved. Staff feels the building is well designed to fit in with the downtown architecture and development. The first floor walls will have a running bond brick pattern, large storefront windows with wood molding. The rear and side elevations would also have the brick columns with smooth-finished cement plaster walls. Canvas awnings would be used over the windows. There will be a recessed brick herringbone pattern above the storefronts on the Main Street and West Angela Street elevations. The other two elevations will have similar detailing that will give an appropriate historical look to the building. A brick tower element is also included in the building design. Design colors would be a used red brick, tan cement plaster walls, awnings, balcony railings and window frames would be forest green, and black asphalt shingles on the tower element. A rear fence separating the lot from the Bank of America lot will be removed by the applicant. Tenant signage is to occur only on the awnings. The site is zoned Central-Commercial and is subject to the Downtown Specific Plan and Revitalization Plan. This site has been designated to allow retail use on the first floor and housing on the second floor. Staff finds the development plan is in conformity with the Downtown Specific and Revitalization Plans. The fact that the plaza will become an activity center for pedestrians to sit, dine, etc. meets the general concept of the building having a zero front setback. Parking was discussed and the applicant has agreed to consolidate the parking with the Bank of America parking lot. The following are some minor modifications to the proposed plans; staff understands the applicants agree to most of these changes. Staff would like to remove brick storefront column elements at Tenant Space 1; however, the tenant to occupy this space would like to have them. In that case, staff recommends scaling the brick column to one foot in width. Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 September 11, 1996