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Chair Blank noted that the Commission could make some estimates as to the needed uses for a TOD <br />in three years when Pleasanton would have a better understanding of what the residents needs were. <br />Commissioner Fox noted that she did not believe that a jewelry store, a hardware store, and a rental <br />business would be ideal for the TOD. <br />Commissioner Narum noted that a hardware store would be a good use. She recalled a discussion <br />from the first workshop about not wanting uses that would be in direct competition with the mall. <br />She noted that the residents could go across the street to the mall for toys, clothing shoes, and <br />accessories. She expressed concern that some of those uses would preclude uses that the <br />Commission really wanted. <br />Chair Blank noted that there could be a situation where the TOD development had a use first, which <br />may then open at the mall afterwards. He added that the Commission should be careful about how <br />it tries to anticipate the restrictions. <br />Commissioner O'Connor noted the market conditions would control the uses and that a Saks Fifth <br />Avenue store would not open in the TOD center. <br />Chair Blank noted that with respect to the balconies, the original discussion was that apartments <br />without balconies would be a negative. He noted that this was a market decision and that if the <br />developers wished to build the entire project without balconies, which he would not personally <br />recommend, they could make that decision. He noted that the rent could be reduced on the units <br />without balconies. He expressed concern that too many restrictions may be placed on a use that will <br />not exist for three years. <br />Commissioner Fox noted that they were trying to formulate a mixed use in order to minimize traffic <br />and trips around town. She stated that she believed the Planning Commission had the option to <br />identify the permitted uses that would be desired in that location to ensure that it was in line with the <br />TOD philosophy. She added that she did not want to see tenants being forced to drive around town <br />because those retail uses were not within the site. <br />Chair Blank noted that he was concerned with the possibility that someone may want to open a <br />jewelry/craft store in the TOD project, only to be denied because there was a similar store at the <br />mall. <br />Commissioner Fox suggested making it a conditional use rather than a permitted use so the <br />Commission could ensure the permitted uses were truly the kind of typical uses seen in a TOD. She <br />added that the Commission would have the option to identify conditional uses as well. <br />Chair Blank noted that this kind of use was so new and acknowledged that he was not an expert in <br />this area. He would like to see some researched data that listed, out of 50 TODs that had been <br />studied, the 25 most common retail stores, as well as the most successful and least successful retail <br />stores. He expressed concern that until the data were examined, identifying specific stores would be <br />an exercise in guesswork. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, April 23, 2008 Page 21 of 28 <br />