PC 011106 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Maas would like to see all the information and would be open to this application. Commissioner Pearce would like to see all the information as well and did not understand the need for another Home Depot in the City. She had major concerns about the traffic in the area, particularly aweekend-based business. She had concerns about the safety of the children at the synagogue, which also had intensive weekend use. Commissioner Maas believed the applicant had worked with the synagogue to mitigate the traffic problems with the cul-de-sac. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS RE-OPENED. Mr. Knoedler noted that the loop road was an alternative to help the discussion of alleviating traffic at the intersection. The initial data showed the Level of Service going from F to D. They preferred to have the cul-de-sac and were seeking direction on how the Commission would like it to look. Pamela Ott, Economic Development Manager, noted that as a general rule, it was not the City's perspective to tell businesses when they need a first, second, or subsequent location. The business generally approaches the City with their interests and plans. ~-- In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Fox regazding whether she was awaze of any ~ Home Depots that were not close to a freeway, Ms. Ott replied that she did not have that information at her disposal. Commissioner Roberts noted that she had looked for a Lowe's store that was not near a freeway, but was located on East Avenue. Ms. Ott advised that it was Home Depot's prerogative to choose the location of its stores, and it was the community's prerogative to decide whether that worked for them. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Ms. Decker recalled that the applicant's testimony indicated that Home Depot did quarterly economic analyses per store and suggested that they provide a spreadsheet or analysis to answer the questions posed by the Commission regarding economic viability. Commissioner Roberts did not believe this would draw customers from out of town, except for west Livermore; she believed this was for the residents of the south side of town. She believed that traffic was a problem, and the applicant would probably have to perform an EIR. She noted that this was a commercial site with a 230KV line under it, which would be highly inappropriate for housing. She liked the whole proposal and believed this would be a nice entrance to the City. She added that the Home Depot may need to be moved closer to Stanley Boulevard and believed the architecture should be PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 11, 2006 Page 16 of 19