SR 05:057 - Laserfiche WebLink

ANALYSIS Staff believes that the proposed exterior changes to the building are consistent with and match the design, materials, colors, and detailing of the existing historic Veterans Memorial Building. The changes to the building are minor and incidental and, as stated above, are generally for the purpose of making the building conform to ADA, seismic, and Fire Code requirements while making the building more functional and useable. The City's architect has taken great care to design the limited exterior changes in such a way as to closely match the building and to conform to the historic building style. As a result, the building will become well-maintained and renovated version of what currently exists. Two (2) existing trees would be affected by the project: a conifer along Main Street at the northerly portion of the site and an oak tree located on the property to the west which hangs over the property line into the rear yard of the Veterans Building site. Both trees will be retained, pruned, and protected during construction. The property owner to the west is supportive of the City's plans to retain and prune the oak tree. The proposed landscape plan features "period" plant materials and themes which were selected to be consistent with landscaping used at the time that the building was designed .and built (early 1930's). The new landscape plan will replace those shrubs which need to be removed in order to accommodate site improvements and will provide a fresh look to the landscape which will complement the renovated building. Also, the landscaping/hardscaping proposed at the rear of the building will greatly enhance that area and will make it functional. Staff notes that the existing hardscaped area at the front of the facility currently contains concrete planters and metal benches from Tulancingo which are used throughout Main Street. The proposed plan would eliminate this street furniture from that location, as recommended by the Master Plan Citizens Task Force. Staff believes that the benches and planters should be retained as they are part of the Main Street design theme approved by the City Council in conjunction with the Main Street Reconstruction Project. Staff, therefore, recommends that the benches and planters be retained in their current location, and has added a condition of approval to that effect. Public Restroom The Downtown Specific Plan includes a policy to construct public restrooms on Main Street and at Delucchi Park. Therefore, when the Veterans Building renovation project was initiated, members of the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) suggested including such a restroom in this facility and asked the City to investigate opportunities for a publicly-accessible restroom as part ofthis project. In response, staff requested that the architects review the Master Plan and provide feedback on possible locations for a public restroom. After reviews at meetings Case No. PDR-402 Planning Commission Page - 4 -