PC 050907 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chek-Fong Tang, lead architect, 350 Frank Ogawa Plaza, #100, Oakland, displayed a presentation describing the proposed project in detail. He noted that they had recently gotten approval for the Pleasant Hill BART project, as well as one on the San Diego trolley project and an infill project in San Francisco. He noted that the intent of the project was to enliven the connections to the existing uses in Pleasanton as well to as the regional mall, especially creating a gateway into the City. He noted that 220 parking spaces would be proposed where the CalTrain right-of-way currently lies. He displayed the pedestrian promenade and emphasized the connectivity to the retail frontage along the most active part of Stoneridge Drive without neglecting any side of the building. He displayed proposed podium gardens, as well as the ground level garage that backed up to the 12,000-square-foot retail space. He noted that the parking ratio was 1.8 cars per residential unit, a fairly suburban ratio. He noted that they were also working on the Walnut Creek and McArthur BART stations. He described the variety of housing units, from one- to three-bedroom styles for families. They followed staff’s suggestion of articulating and layering the massing of the project. He noted that residential scale elements would complement the retail base along the edge. He noted that the intent of the promenade was to activate it and to tie the BART garage to the pedestrian activities. He added that there were areas that would not be viable for retail but that balcony conditions facing the promenade would be appropriate. They had seriously considered the security conditions and noted that units facing out to the promenade would also create a defensible space. Mr. Tang noted that tiles became a maintenance issue and added that precast materials and brick facing would be sturdier. He noted that the project addressed the freeway in a positive way and noted that they were working on play areas and tot lots areas. They wished to bring this vision to reality in the near future. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether the power lines were 230 KV, Mr. Eric Girod, BKF, noted that he did not know the exact voltage of the electrical lines but that they were the main electrical conduits that came from the substation and power the tracks and future BART station. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether the right-of-way from CalTrans would be used for a park and ride, Mr. Heffner clarified that there was no easement on the site from CalTrans. He noted that they would like a future easement for a flyover from eastbound I-580 to northbound I-680. He noted that they fully respected the City’s gateway and would like to begin construction in the first quarter of 2008 so the station could open in 2009. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. There were no speakers. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 9, 2007 Page 14 of 20