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held on May 27 and June 10, 2004, staff and the consultants determined the most feasible and <br />least invasive design would be a unisex, single-fixture public restroom on the south side of the <br />facility. Adjacent to the kitchen and back lobby, the proposed restroom would be accessible <br />only from the exterior of the building. <br /> <br />Staff and the project architects reviewed the Master Plan, including the proposed public <br />restroom, with representatives from the local Veterans organizations on June 23, 2004. The <br />representatives stated that they understood the lack of available public restrooms in the <br />Downtown, but indicated that the proposed solution was unacceptable to them. They questioned <br />facility security and probable impacts to their programs ifa public restroom were included in the <br />facility plan. They also questioned how public access into the building and the use of internal <br />restrooms would be managed. Since the exterior doors are generally unlocked/open while the <br />facility is in use, concern was expressed for their personal safety while in meeting rooms and <br />property/supplies. It was noted that during large events, such as dinners/receptions or weddings, <br />monitoring access would be nearly impossible. Custodial/maintenance services were another <br />concern, particularly through long weekends/holidays. <br /> <br />Staff understands the Veterans' concerns and feels that the issues they have identified have been <br />or can be resolved. The public restroom would be accessible only from the outside, and there <br />would be no access from the restroom to the rest of the building, so that users of the restroom <br />would not be able to enter the building proper from inside the restroom. In addition, the City <br />would be responsible for maintenance and security. Hours during which the restroom would be <br />locked can also be established. <br /> <br />One option would be to proceed with the restroom as designed and, if after a period of time it is <br />determined that the Veterans' issues have not been resolved, public access to the restroom can <br />be eliminated. Another option is to expedite construction of a public restroom at Delucchi Park <br />or Lions Wayside Park, which would help satisfy the need for a restroom at this end of town, <br />and, therefore, not include the public restroom within the Veterans Building. <br /> <br />Regarding Delucchi Park or Lions Wayside Park, the Master Plan for the Downtown Parks and <br />Trail System shows public restrooms located towards the W. Angela Street side of Delucchi <br />Park. The thought with this location was that it would be convenient to users of the Farmers <br />Market. However, this plan is conceptual, and the restrooms could be located closer to Neal <br />Street, either in Delucchi Park or Lions Wayside Park, which would be a more central location <br />and would be more convenient for the Concerts in the Park. However, staff notes that the <br />Concerts in the Park are held for a limited period during May through September, whereas the <br />Farmers Market operates throughout the year. If it is decided to construct public restrooms in <br />either Delucchi or Lions Wayside Parks, construction of the restrooms could be expedited by <br />adding them as a change order to the existing consultant contract for the Fire Station project. <br />While a decision on the exact location of the restrooms does not have to be made at this time, <br /> <br /> Case No. PDR-402 Planning Commission <br /> Page - 5 - <br /> <br /> <br />