Laserfiche WebLink
<br />James Paxson, General Manager of Hacienda Business Park, noted that they were very <br />excited about the project and believed it would be a great opportunity. He echoed the <br />earlier comments about what a good fit the buildings would be within Hacienda Business <br />Park and how it contributed to the future maturation of the Park. He noted that the design <br />had not yet come before the Park’s design review committee and added that the <br />Commission’s input would be very important to them. <br /> <br />In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Narum regarding whether the Business Park <br />would be amenable to a hotel, which was not currently a permitted use on the site, <br />Mr. Paxson replied that they would be amenable to a hotel. He noted that there was a <br />process to change uses on-site and that he believed there would be support for it. He <br />noted that the current hotels are clustered on the other side of the park and believed that a <br />hotel in this location would be a valuable amenity. He noted that with the influx of new <br />tenants, the Business Park was approaching the employment levels of mid-2001. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blank noted that he would rather keep the hotel tax revenue in Pleasanton <br />rather than sending it to one of Pleasanton’s sister cities. <br /> <br />A discussion of the type and location of the current hotels in Pleasanton ensued. <br /> <br />In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Olson regarding the distance of the planned <br />BART station from the proposed site, Mr. Paxson replied that it was within a mile. <br /> <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. <br /> <br /> <br />Chairperson Fox noted that she had received Commissioner O’Connor’s notes prior to his <br />departure from the meeting. She invited comment from each Commissioner regarding <br />the project and then the Commission would address each section separately. <br /> <br />Commissioner Pearce believed this project was a good one and that a hotel was sorely <br />needed in this area. She believed that utilizing this area more effectively would be a <br />great idea. <br /> <br />Commissioner Blank agreed with Commissioner Pearce’s comments and liked the hotel <br />very much as well as the first-floor retail. He would like to see a bigger hotel because <br />hotel rooms were scarce in the area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Olson suggested building the hotel first and was pleased to see the number <br />of potential large pre-lease tenants. He complimented the applicants for designing the <br />parking garage that is totally surrounded by trees. He had inquired about BART because <br />it would be possible that the addition of busing would bring a more transit-oriented flavor <br />to the development and would help the traffic. <br /> <br />Commissioner Narum noted that she liked the hotel and its location in another part of <br />town. She was very pleased to hear that the berming on Owens Drive would stay and <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 30, 2007 Page 13 of 20 <br /> <br /> <br />