PC-2004-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

Resolution No. PC-2004-06 Page Two existing heritage trees will be preserved. The proposed plan is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and, therefore, this finding can be made. 2. The proposed development plan is consistent with the City's General Plan. The proposed project's land use, Office, conforms to the "Retail, Highway, and Service Commercial/Business and Professional Offices" Land Use Element designation for the project site. Because the site is located within the Downtown Specific Plan, the Specific Plan programs, policies, and land use designation are regarded as a more refined, detailed version of the General Plan. The land use designation for this property in the Downtown Specific Plan is "Office." The proposed use conforms to this designation. As stated above, the Planning Commission is recommending an amendment to the Downtown Specific Plan to allow a two-story element on this site. The amendment, as drafted, is supportable, and allowing a minor two-story building element meets the intent of the Specific Plan for the site. Approval of this PUD development plan is contingent on City Council approval of this Specific Plan amendment. The parking proposal is consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan. The applicant proposes to provide the number of parking spaces required per the Pleasanton Municipal Code. In the Downtown Specific Plan, 325 Ray Street is denoted as a location for "potential" public parking. Thus, public parking should be considered, but is not required by the Downtown Specific Plan. While parking lot connections are "encouraged" in the Downtown Specific Plan, they are not required. The applicant is not proposing a connection, per the request of some adjacent neighbors on Walnut Drive, and the owner of the adjacent parking lot has not agreed to such a connection. In the Downtown Specific Plan, public pedestrian access through the property to the Arroyo is strongly encouraged. However, in this instance, it is infeasible due to the design of the project and the neighbors' opposition to public access. Thus, the proposed development plan is consistent with the City's General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan, and this finding can be made. 3. The proposed development plan is compatible with previously developed properties located in the vicinity of the plan. The Downtown project site is surrounded by a variety of uses: single-family residential, office, and retail uses. As conditioned, the proposed office building I I