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Carrie Wevill, 1879 Tanglewood Way, owner of 240 Spring Street, indicated she is converting her property to a commercial use. She has been dealing with the City for some time and still is not able to start construction. One issue being discussed tonight is whether a project is a remodel or new construction. These houses are seventy years old and in bad condition. She is willing to rebuild her house exactly as it originally looked. She did not understand why it should be classified as new construction, when they are willing to rebuild it exactly as it originally looked. She believes that should be considered a remodel, based on the fact that the houses are not safe to occupy. She is very discouraged about this process. It has been over a year now and she is still at the beginning of the process. If anyone wants to improve downtown, the Planning and Building Departments need to work closer. Ms. Michelotti clarified that her property is residential and that she had lived in it. Ms. Wevill said she has tenants. The prior owner tried to redo the building and eventually sold it because it was such a nightmare. Had she known the difficulties, she would not have bought the building. She has always planned to use the property for commercial uses. She wanted to demolish the building, but the Planning Department said the building should be saved. Ms. Michelotti asked if the property would be assessed for parking fees when the use is converted from residential to commercial according to the square footage in the house? Ms. Wevill said yes. The spaces would be based on how many were required for a remodel versus new construction. Ms. Michelotti asked if a project is deemed a remodel, how is the parking requirement determined? Mr. Swift said if there is an existing commercial/office building that is expanding up to 25% of the square footage, there is no requirement for any additional parking. Pleasanton has a very liberal rule with respect to encouraging people to add on up to 25% of the existing square footage. When a property changes a use from one residential use (which would require two parking spaces) to a commercial/office and does not expand, no additional parking is required. Again, that is a liberal rule not found in other cities and favors the conversion of existing buildings to office/commercial in the downtown. That was a result of the specific plan update in the 1970's and has been instrumental in allowing uses to switch to restaurant uses all along Main Street as well as other uses. What has happened over the last twenty years, however, is a dramatic change in the Building Codes. The Building Codes now treat commercial and office considerably different than residential uses. Years ago when a property owner switched from residential to office, the only issue was the Zoning Code. Now there are Fire Code requirements, handicapped access requirements and other Building Code requirements. From the zoning standpoint along Spring Street, a change of use or expansion of use is allowed and encouraged. Additional parking is not required until the square footage exceeds the 25% threshold. At that point, parking would be required for the expansion only. The zoning ordinance is not nearly as flexible as some people would like. They feel ifa building is tom down because it is in terrible condition and rebuilt as a new building, that it should be considered a remodel. That is part of Pleasanton City Council 17 09/18/01 Minutes