PC 08/23/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

d. Z-95-102. Kaiser Permanente Application for design review approval to construct an approximately 66,000 square foot, two-story medical office building located at 5610 Stoneridge Mall Road. Zoning for the property is CoR (p) Regional Commercial (Peripheral Area) District. The Planning Commission will also consider the Negative Declaration prepared for the project. Commissioner Wright abstained due to a possible conflict of interest. Mr. Swift presented the staff report for an application for a design review approval to construct a 66,000 sq. ft. two-story medical office building. Kaiser officials have recently decided there would be no hospital construction within the foreseeable future, so they have relocated Office Building #3 to better integrate it with the existing buildings. There will be adequate circulation around the entire complex through the parking areas to egress onto any surrounding city street. Staff is recommending approval of this design review subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit B. General discussion followed regarding Kaiser's contribution to the NPID. Mr. Swift advised that Valley Care has been exempt from some contributions because they built a hospital. Kaiser had the same exemption, although they have now paid to the City the funds they would have been assessed since they have now decided not to build a hospital. Mr. Swift feels there will be no further contributions to the NPID. Commissioner Barker referred to the 5-A Self Storage application and the neighbors stating Kaiser patrons make U-turns on Stoneridge. She inquired if staff has looked into this problem. Mr. Higdon and the Traffic Engineer have reviewed this and have determined it is not necessary to make a left turn pocket in the median at this time. Mr. Swift stated that redesigning the median to have an outbound left-turn only pocket is confusing to people and would also eliminate a considerable amount of landscaping which is beneficial to the area. The new parking lot will have an access on Laurel Creek, which should eliminate the need for U-turns on Stoneridge. Commissioner Dove inquired if the walkways from the parking lot drop off circle are protected. Mr. Swift believes they are unprotected. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Richard Nygard, Project Manager, 1630 Newell Avenue, Suite 203, Walnut Creek, represented this application. He noted that Kaiser's long range plans have changed regarding a new hospital. He also noted the walkways from the parking lots are unprotected; however, the walkways between the buildings are covered. Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 August 23, 1995