PC 06/24/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

_ that he would deny the application and suggested that the applicant come back before the Commission when the circulation and parking situation in the area improves. Chair Cooper asked staff to clarify the original condition regazding the $25,000 in-lieu fee in connection with the widening of Ray Street. Mr. Iserson explained that the condition provided that the $25,000 would be paid if the City widens Ray Street. The City Council decided not to widen the street, and, therefore, the money was not required to be paid. Commissioner Dove stated that when the project was originally discussed, the Planning Commission considered the Downtown guidelines which provided that the buildings be two stories and constructed up to the sidewalk. The applicant then indicated that the cost of the second story as well as the in-lieu pazking would be more than he could support. Therefore, the Commission approved the project and required that the structure be built to accommodate a second floor in the future. The reason for the two feet along the project's frontage on Ray Street was to address the difficulty lazge vehicles such as delivery trucks may have when turning from southbound Main Street onto Ray Street. With respect to in-lieu parking, Mr. Dove stated that the number of available lots that could be acquired for parking is diminishing. He added that the Commission should re-consider the requirement that developers provide parking on-site or within the block of the site because it would be impossible for new owners on Main Street to accomplish that. He indicated that he supports a healthy retail environment on Main Street: the more businesses, the better. He added that for this project, however, the procedure should be reversed so that in-lieu parking fees are required prior to project approval. ` Commissioner Maas agreed with Commissioner Kumaran and expressed concern about the pazking problem. She stated that she could consider the proposal in the future when the City has developed a firm proposal for public parking, including a specific site and date. She added that it is difficult to have a business without sufficient parking for employees and customers in an area with so much traffic. She indicated that she would not support the application. Commissioner Roberts agreed with Commissioners Kumazan and Maas that parking is a problem and that the project should wait until there is something more concrete in terms of the required 12 additional parking spaces. She added that limiting the in-lieu fee to a particular block is too restrictive. She stated, however, that she liked the design but would prefer to wait on the second story. Commissioner Sullivan indicated that he would support the project because it meets the Downtown Specific Plan guidelines which encourage office uses on the second floor and retail on the ground floor. He agreed with Commissioner Dove that the Downtown needs this kind of business. He likewise agreed that there is a pazking problem but noted that there are other forms of transportation such as riding bicycles. He suggested considering replacing the parking requirements for this facility with the installation of bicycle parking stalls. He stated that denying the application would be defeating the purpose of the Downtown Plan. Chair Cooper stated that he would like to see the applicant complete his project. He stated that the design is good and is consistent with the Downtown Plan. With respect to the pazking issue, he noted that this is an aggregate problem on Main Street and that the applicant should not have to suffer its consequences. He indicated that he would support the project and in-lieu fee with the conditions that the Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 June 24, 1998