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City of Pleasanton, CA - City Council Minutes Page 7 of 16 should adhere to Mr. Fotheringham's design. He referred to the design competition guidelines and there was no limit on where to place the cultural arts center, so he felt the center was placed on Valley for a reason. He supported Plan D because he liked the big open space. I felt that should be a quiet, contemplative, natural setting used for strolling, kite flying, riding bikes, etc. When the Block Party was held, there were many people marveling at the views of the beautiful Pleasanton Ridge and Mt. Diablo. He wanted as much open space as possible as set forth in Plan D. Mr. Sullivan asked how high the cultural arts center would be? Mr. Rasmussen said there is no actual vision for the center. The plans presented or just examples of how large the facility might be. In order to accommodate a theater for 800 seats, he believed the highest part of the building would be about 90 feet, or about seven stories. That is necessary for props behind the stage and curtains. Ms. Narum asked how tall was the Amador Theater building? Mr. Rasmussen believed it was about 40 feet. Other comments were made about the Lesher Theater and the theater at Diablo Valley College. Mr. Fialho indicated the proposed theater is in concept only, but could be lower depending on the ultimate master plan for the facility and the needs it must accommodate. He did not want the concept of a nine-story theater to affect the decision on its location. There is still much work to be done before a decision is made on its design. Mr. Dibiase said he would present comments from those who could not attend this meeting along with his own. People have 'said there was a design competition, and the winning design should be kept, especially with regard to the cultural arts center. There was concern about the impact on the view shed if it were located on Bemal Avenue. As you drive down Bemal, instead of seeing open space and a meadow, there would be a parking lot. No matter how well it is landscaped, it is still a parking lot. People in the park will look at the backside of the cultural center, even though it could be architecturally pleasing. Some people have mentioned potential conflicts between activities in the cultural arts center and the sports fields. It may not happen often, but there is the possibility. It seems that if the cultural arts center were on Bernal, it appears to occupy more real estate than if it were south of Valley Avenue. Mr. Kummer mentioned people not walking to downtown. Mr. Dibiase knew of a few people who walk from Amador Theater to the Pleasanton Hotel for dinner, but the majority of people do not do that. He felt when looking at the cultural arts center on Bernal, the park seems unbalanced. Everything seems to have been placed in the northeast comer and the rest of the park is not balanced with other facilities. He and most of the people he has talked to prefer Plan D, with or without the train station. Another point was recommending the teen center not be incorporated into the cultural arts center, but integrated with the Youth Club. Mr. Thorne said he was at the meeting between the sports and arts representatives. He remembered that Mr. Fotheringham had said he was not aware he could use the northeast comer for the cultural arts center. After talking to the downtown association, the arts representatives and the sports associations, it seems the plan with the cultural arts center in the northeast comer is a good fit and they all agree with it. He acknowledged there are issues. City staff assures him that construction of Phase I can continue on the same http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/archive/ccminutes050512ws.html 6/9/2005