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AGFUO-Public comments provided to the Planning Commission for the July 28, 2021, meeting 111111,1A\ PLrASA t DOWNTOWN July 27,2021 ASSOCIATION Dear Pleasanton Planning Commissioners: On May 26,2021,PDA submitted written comments to the City Council regarding proposed updates to the Active Ground Floor Use Overlay. At that time,the primary recommendation from City Staff was to increase the minimum required percentage for active use from 25%up to 60%where a mix of active and non-active uses was to be combined within a shared tenant space. Since then,City Staff and PDA have enjoyed significant discussion and the recommendations from Staff have expanded to incorporate several ideas presented in our May 26 commentary. In particular,the Staff recommendation now proposes that mixed active and non-active uses each secure their own separate business license. Additionally,a narrative to accompany mixed use proposals would set forth hallmarks ensuring the active use component is substantive,not merely window dressing to facilitate the non-active component. This would include,among other things,posting regular hours of operation, and storefront signage featuring the active component as the primary visible operation. So long as the street-facing active use component meets the requirements proposed by City Staff,PDA is not convinced the minimum percentage requirement should also be increased beyond 25%of leased space. If the active component is a bona fide business,separately licensed,and is the meaningful"face" of the property,adding to the existing 25%requirement is likely to be unnecessary. As far as pedestrians are concerned,street-facing operations will be 100%active uses. During our conversations regarding the Overlay this spring and summer,thoughtful feedback has suggested the possibility that there are types of businesses that contribute to foot traffic,vitality,and pedestrian-friendly experience that are not included within the existing definition of an active use. This feedback has been bolstered by numerous recent articles and even local policy changes designed to address the health of retail districts post-COVID. Recent policy trends in 2020 and 2021 are worth considering. The link to one helpful article appears below*for reference. We appreciate your generous investment of time and attention to making Downtown Pleasanton the very best it can be. Sincerely, /7--/64A- Terri Terry Zac Grant President Executive Director * https://www.spur.org/news/2021-01-25/five-ideas-rebuilding-retail-post-pandemic-city Distributed to City Council for the September 7, 2021, meeting Page 22