PC 11/28/83 - Laserfiche WebLink

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION November 28, 1983 Page 5 There was no discussion by Commission members at this time. The public hearing was opened. Larry Osborne, 699 Peters Avenue, would like to see this property changed from residential to commercial as it would help the downtown. He indicated there have been four new buildings approved for the east side of Peters Avenue which are commercial. He stated that the property has been high density residential and he sees no one coming in with development plans for it. He felt residential is not compatible for Peters Avenue. He felt a park site on Peters Avenue was not appropriate because of the traffic and size of the properties available. He did not feel that a park would help the downtown area in any way. He said if a park is needed by the homeowners he hoped the Commission would endorse the site at Rose and Peters. He stated he had made an error when speaking at the November 21, 1983 meeting and apologized for it. He had stated that the Park and Recreation Commission felt the site at Peters and Rose Avenue was too small. He misunderstood comments made by the Commission that the City owned the site rather than the Catholic Church. Commissioner Arrigoni asked about the configuration of the lot shown as "D" on the map. Mr. Osborne felt the property was square. Lori Scott-Vintner, owner of the business at 210 Rose Avenue, represented the Downtown Pleasanton Business owners association and the Chamber of Commerce. She urged the Planning Commission to consider rezoning as much of the property as possible to office space. One of the problems putting in a park is that there isn't that much office space available in the downtown area at the present time. She felt there was a lot of park land available at the County Fairgrounds for public use. She stated that people who spoke in favor of a park are residents of Augustine and Harrison Street and the Fairgrounds are closer to them than Peters and Rose Avenue. Julia Lane, 4587 Augustine, lives behind the site designated as "D" and supported a park. She said there are a lot of duplexes and residential units in the neighborhood and there are no places for children to play because of the small lot sizes of the units. She said that children of the area ride their bikes in the streets. She felt a park would stimulate neighbors getting to know each other. She has lived in her house for six months and knows only one neighbor. Commissioner Wilson asked Ms. Lane which site she preferred for a park. She responded that she likes site "D" as it would be a good place for children, moms and seniors. Jacquie Oliverius, Park and Recreation Commission, 3445 Beecham Court, stated they are strongly in favor of and recommend that either one of the two parcels be designated for a park site. They have received requests from residents of the area and the subcommittee of the General Plan Review Committee concerning community needs. A play area is needed for the children. She felt that merchants and their customers could use the park to eat their lunches, etc. She felt it would be an attractive addition to the area. She stated that the Wayside and Delucchi parks are leased by the City, not owned by them. She stated this would be the only owned City park in the downtown area. She felt it would be a good staging area for the museum. She stated that staff has recommended that "D" or "F" be used for a park and the Park and Recreation Commission feels that either site would be okay. She said "F" was chosen because of the future museum and would be an enhancement to a commercial area. In addressing Ms. Vintner's statement about losing commercial land, once asphalt is put down, no park will ever be developed. -5-