CCMIN082101 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ms. Michelotfi inquired about the land use for the property east of the McDonald's proposed site. Mr. Swift said the site was part of Stanley Business Park with the same allowed uses, e.g. service commercial, some office/retail/restaurants. There has been some discussion to have a shopping center with a grocery story anchor (which is not currently allowed in the Stanley Business Park PUD). There is a pending application by a synagogue to use two acres of the site closest to the Arroyo del Valle. There are no pending applications for the balance of the area. Ms. Michelotti asked if there would be individual building pads in the proposed shopping center. Mr. Swift said it was highly likely. If the center covers sixteen acres, it is likely there would be three major tenants or two anchors with other ancillary uses such as banks, restaurants, daycare uses, etc. It really depends on what the ultimate mix of businesses is for the site. Mr. Campbell asked for clarification on the actions required by Council. Mr. Swift explained there are two ways to deny the application. If Council accepted the land use, but did not like the architecture of the building, then it can deny the application and send it back to the Planning Commission for review. If the issue is the land use, and Council does not want a fast-food business on the site, then Council must initiate an action that places the property into an emergency study zone while the Planning Commission reviews the appropriate land uses and comes back to Council with a rezoning of the site. Mr. Campbell asked about negative vote from a Planning Commissioner. Mr. Swirl said Commissioner Sullivan voted against the application because of concerns about traffic. The intersection of Bemal and Stanley is close to Level of Service E at General Plan build out. He was concerned that a traffic generating business like McDonald's would put the intersection beyond LOS E. There is an argument that fast-food restaurants are not traffic generators, but simply traffic diverters of what is already on the street. Mr. Swirl felt it does add traffic, but the traffic study included this kind of traffic, so he did not think there would be a problem. Mr. Campbell asked if there was a pollution factor because of the drive through window. Mr. Swift said air quality is an issue, but the General Plan has a policy to minimize impacts. This particular drive-through has a two-lane drive-through, so the amount of time cars would idle is minimized. Again, there is debate among experts as to whether stopping and starting a car would cause more pollution than idling for a short time. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has not placed any additional standards on fast-food restaurants on grounds that fast-food restaurants cause any more pollution than others. Pleasanton City Council 4 08/21/01 Minutes