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Mr. Tang estimated that the mentality of the Bay Area residents was 20 years ahead of Southern California in terms of using transit on a regular basis. He noted that he still received comments in Southern California that transit was primarily for people in the lower economic range, and that was definitely not the case in the Bay Area. 4. Is the revised building design acceptable? Commissioner Blank noted that when he looked at the rendering, the turret looked lower and less institutional than it did on the overhead screen, but he still would like the applicant to look at softening it a bit. Commissioner Olson noted that the point of view in each illustration was different. Commissioner Blank believed the mix of colors under the day lamp was good, as was the building design. Commissioner O’Connor liked the revised building design and suggested that the turret be softened by bringing the roof down slightly or gabling the roof. Chairperson Fox expressed concern with the height of the buildings and reiterated that she would like one of the stories to be lopped off. She added that she liked the San Mateo building very much and inquired whether it was located off of Third Avenue. Mr. Tang noted that that building was 65 feet tall and was located approximately three blocks from the CalTrain tracks, although the station was not located there. Chairperson Fox noted that she liked the colors featured in that building rather than the terra cotta color scheme. 5. Are the revised building materials acceptable? Commissioner Olson believed the building materials were acceptable. Commissioner Blank believed the building materials were acceptable. Commissioner O’Connor believed the building materials were acceptable and liked the material change which relieved the starkness of the stucco. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding the parking requirement for the San Mateo project, Mr. Tang replied that the ratio was approximately 1.75. Chairperson Fox indicated that she would like this project to be closer to 1.75 and expressed concern that if the parking were to be reduced, there would be encroachment on the BART parking garage. Mr. Tang noted that the surface parking area and the parking garage would be gated so the BART patrons could not use it; on-site monitoring should provide additional security. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 22, 2007 Page 11 of 20