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put into place. He stated that the study conducted by the Planning Department in recent months describes the need for additional parking spaces in the down- town area. Also recent surveys indicate there is a need for additional park- ing spaces for all types of businesses. He stated if the downtown community is to grow then additional parking spaces must be provided. The Pleasanton Downtown Association opposes any more apartment houses or condominiums in the downtown until the Specific Plan is adopted and in place; do not deprive pres- ent business owners any loss of value or income. Mr. Bronzini stated that as a business owner in the downtown he shares a parking area with three other businesses and soon there will be an additional retail shop. He advised that he is remodeling his establishment which will be a credit to Pleasanton downtown. With four employees and his own truck plus freight delivery trucks there is not adequate parking for his business. He advised there are other businesses with the same parking problems as his. He stated the parking problem needs to be addressed and he strongly urged Council to take a good look at the problem before approving the proposed project of Mr. Mavridis. Mr. Gene Finch, 64g Main Street, stated he concurs with the position of the Downtown Association. He stated that over the past several years he has paid in lieu parking fees for a parking assessment district; he asked what has happened to this money. He stated he owns the building at 649 Main Street and shares a parking area with Hacienda Del Sol, La Rochelle, and other businesses in the area, who have contributed to the parking assessment district. He felt it is time to get parking structures that are needed in the downtown area. There being no further testimony, Mayor Mercer declared the public hearing closed on this item. Councilmember Brandes asked if there is a way Council can deny the ap- plication without prejudice and get recommendations back from staff about ways to deal with the parking problems; he felt he did not have enough information to make a decision at this time. Mr. MacDonald stated this could be done by a 4/5 vote of Council, but it would require action within 45 days. Mayor Mercer asked how many projects in the downtown area are in the plan- ning process at this time. Mr. Swift advised that besides the project before Council tonight there is an apartment project proposed on Spring Street and a retail office and residential use on Division Street. Councilmember Wilson stated the property owner has been through the plan- ning process and made revisions as recommended by the Planning staff; he felt it would be unfair to deny his project at this time. He stated the Community Development Agency is not very far along in its process and it has not been determined where parking areas will be designated in the downtown; he felt there are many blighted areas that could be used for parking areas besides on the property of Mr. Mavridis. Councilmember Butler stated he supports the concerns about the ability to look at parking in the downtown area and under the circumstances would be willing to approve a Study District but Council has to be concerned about equity to projects that have gone as far through the process as the Mavridis project. He felt it would be unfair to put it on hold since nothing has been - 8 2-2-88