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work with the City and the team to develop a design that would be more compatible with the Downtown Design Guidelines. She believed the glass entry into the building and the firehouse center signage looked more like a hospital entrance; she would like a better integration between the existing firehouse and the enhancement into the building. She noted that it looked like an addition that did not quite mesh. She believed the top rows of windows on the north elevation needed more articulation and believed they also looked like they belonged on a hospital. With respect to the concrete and cedar, she believed different types of materials should be explored that would mesh better with the existing brick structure. She would like to see a pitched roof and noted that a flat-roofed building was more difficult to blend with the surrounding buildings. She believed that additional family restroom should be located on the ground floor. She suggested the use oftrellises with landscaping to frame the entrance more attractively. She noted that the placement of the single window on the west side elevation was too sparse and that there should be more articulation on that flat surface. She suggested that a mural on the exterior wall would be very attractive. Commissioner Roberts noted that she was extremely excited about this center and noted that her adult children who had all attend the Pleasanton Unified School District schools had recognized a paucity as well as a lack of emphasis on civic arts. She liked the floor plan and agreed that a family restroom should be placed downstairs. She indicated that she liked the grand feeling of the lobby and was very pleased with the theater. She noted that she believe she had been more involved in reviewing the project and had more time to be comfortable with the contemporar;' design. In response to Commissioner Fox's comment on roof pitch, she noted that there could not be a pitched roof on the raised theater section and did not believe it would be a good addition to this building. She had attended an earlier workshop with the Council and the Arts Commission and added that the design had grown on her. She would like it to be better integrated with the old fire station and understood the Pleasanton Downtown Association's concern with it. However, she believed that itwas very important to combine the historical and contemporary design elements, especially in an arts center. She would like to see staff work with the PDA and would like to see Charles Huffs suggestions. She suggested looking into the possibility of a mural. She understood the City's financial concerns with respect to this project and noted that the fundraising for this project was very important to it being built properly. She liked the cedar on the side toward the park, which integrated well with that exposure. Commissioner Blank liked the general idea of this project and liked the glass column detail at the entry. He did not like the institutional signage at all and did not believe it was inviting. He understood the cost concerns with respect to the bricks but would like to see the bricks extended more. He believed that staff should work to bring the design more in conformance with the Downtown Design Guidelines. He wanted to ensure the restrooms had porcelain fixtures. He believed that every restroom should have a changing table. He believed there should be some piping or fixtures for WiFi coverage. He believed the City Council should look at elements the Planning Commission would normally look at in a design review. He would like to see story boards, accurate color, and materials boards, as well as viewscapes and elevations. Chairperson Arkin noted that he was very excited about this project and did not want to slow it down. He liked how the space was designed, especially the hourglass-type hallway. He supported the installation of a family bathroom downstairs. He expressed concern that if this EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, February 8, 2006 Page 70f8