PC 05/13/81 - Laserfiche WebLink

GP-80-7, Lee J. Amaral Application of Lee J. Amaral to change the General Plan land use designation of a 0.27 acre lot located at 404 St. Mary Street from "High Density Residential" to "Commercial and Offices." A negative declaration of environmental impacts will also be considered. Mr. Harris presented the staff report and recommendation of denial, at least until the potential of the existing downtown commercial core has been more fully realized. The public hearing was opened. Lee J. Amaral, the applicant spoke. He said he has reviewed the staff report and disagrees with it. He said lack of office tenants is due more to location of offices than anything else and that his property is in a prime location. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Lindsey stated that he knows for a fact that the Miranda Land office building on Spring Street will soon be at least partially occupied by Michael Goldsworthy and that there is interest currently by other proposed tenants; that Peters and Division (Mike Harris' property) isn't being built at this time because of cost of funds and that many banks and savings and loan businesses are interested in the Bank of America building. He said he couldn't speak to the proposed Southern Pacific project. Commissioner Jamieson stated that the City is pretty much committed to hold off on this change until the impact of the regional shopping center is known, the Stoneridge overcrossing is built and the railroad consolidation has happened and that to propose the change as requested by the applicant is counter to what the City Council's policy is. Commissioner Lindsey said he is not sure what effect the overcrossing will have on the downtown. Commissioner Doherty said that if anything is done, it should be done in its entirety not just done for one lot. He said he has received letters both for and against this proposed change, but believes the residents of the areas should be consulted as they have spent a lot of money on their homes both east and west of the railroad tracks and that he would have trouble supporting this because it might be detrimental to what is being maintained on St. Mary Street and further stated he couldn't support this general plan amendment. Vice Chairperson Getty said she sees nothing wrong with a residential/ office mix and sited an example of this. She further stated that waiting for the results of the shopping center, overcrossing and railroad con- solidation doesn't make much sense since it might go on forever. Commissioner Doherty said many people were in the audience earlier concerning this proposal. Comissioner Doherty said he would be supportive of the City looking at the entire west side of Peters -20- ,_.