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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachmt 8 PC Study Session Minutes of 01-24-2006 Planning COlnnlission Study Session Minutes CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2006, in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Plaza. Chair Schaub called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM. ATTENDEES Present: Chair Schaub; Commissioners Biddle, Fasu1key, King and Wehrenberg; Jeri Ram, Community Development Director; Chris Foss, Acting Planning Manager; Rick Tooker, Contract Planner; Frank Navarro, Senior Civil Engineer; Gregory Shreeve, Senior Building Official; and Rhonda Franklin, Recording Secretary. 1.1 Study Session - Emerald Place Before asking for the staff report, Chair Schaub thanked the Developers for their attendance. Mr. Rick Tooker, Contract Planner, presented the specifics of the project as outlined in the staff report. He reviewed the minor changes in the project that differed from the plans approved by the City Council in 2004. Upon completion of his presentation, Mr. Tooker asked if the Commissioners had any questions. Chair Schaub asked if the size of the parking area would remain the same if the Applicants were to change the mix of standard and compact parking spaces after the project was approved. Mr. Tooker said that a change to the mix of standard and compact parking spaces would result in a reduction in the total number of spaces on the site. Cm. Fasu1key asked about the elements that would create the proposed' green screen' on the Hacienda Drive front of the project. Mr. Tooker described the various elements that would create the 'green screen'. Cm. Biddle asked about the status of the proposed IKEA project. Mr. Chris Foss, Acting Planning Manager, stated that IKEA continues to pursue funding for the project. Cm. Biddle asked about the status of the property that is further west of the proposed IKEA project. Mr. Chris Foss stated that there is currently no development scheduled for that area. Cm. Biddle asked about the status of the property to the north of Martinelli Way. Mr. Foss stated that there is currently no development scheduled for that area. Cm. Biddle asked if the streets inside the proposed project would be privately owned and Mr. Tooker answered yes. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the proposed street names were firm or tentative. Mr. Tooker said that the proposed street names have not yet been selected. (P[anniufj Commission ,'\csswn I ATTACHMENT ~ ,'jalluary 2~, 20fJ6 Mr. Hans Baldauf, with BCV Architects, presented a detailed description of the project on behalf of the applicant. Cm. King requested clarification of the term 'Emerald Paseo'. Mr. Baldauf stated that the term 'Paseo' describes a walking street. Cm. Wehrenberg asked if the 'Paseo' area would contain a crosswalk. Mr. Baldauf stated that the area would contain a pedestrian-only pavement section that would lead into the plaza. Mr. Ned Smith, with Smith & Smith Landscape Architects, presented a detailed description of the landscape features of the project. Cm. Biddle asked how long it would take for the vines on the green screen to fully develop. Mr. Smith answered that the vines would be 8-10 feet tall when the green screen is set up and would grow 4-5 feet per year. Chair Schaub asked if trees would line both sides of IKEA Way and Mr. James Wright, Applicant, with Blake hunt Ventures, said yes. Cm. King asked if too much landscaping on Hacienda Drive would defeat the view into the project. Mr. Baldauf stated that the intent is to create a sense of protected space within the project and to attract people into the ambience of the project. Cm. Wehrenberg asked if too much landscaping would prevent consumers from being able to easily navigate the area. Mr. Baldauf stated that signage would be clearly visible to consumers and, due to traffic queuing times at the entrance of the project, consumers would also be able to look into the project to identify their destination(s). Chair Schaub mentioned that for future projects, he would like the Planning Commission to anticipate issues for additional projects in close proximity in order to look at the overall scope of development in Dublin. Chair Schaub asked how consumers would be expected to drive into the project. Mr. Navarro, Senior Civil Engineer, stated that consumers would be expected to make a left onto Hacienda Drive, a left onto Martinelli Way, and a left onto IKEA Way into the main entrance of the project. Chair Schaub asked if the majority of consumers would use the main entrance or the alternative entrances. Mr. Navarro stated that most consumers would use the main entrance of the project. Chair Schaub asked about traffic at the intersection of IKEA Way and Martinelli Way. Mr. Tooker explained that consumers traveling to IKEA could enter from IKEA Way to the south entrance of the building. Mr. Chris Foss, Acting Planning Manager, mentioned that consumers could also enter IKEA from Arnold Drive. Chair Schaub asked if the majority of consumers would use the Arnold Drive entrance. Mr. Foss stated that the local traffic would probably use Arnold Drive. Cm. Wehrenberg mentioned that internet map guides could direct consumers either way based on IKEA's proposed street address. Chair Schaub asked if there would be street address on IKEA Way. Mr. Gregory Shreeve, Senior Building Official, stated that IKEA Way could have street addresses. Chair Schaub stated that less traffic on IKEA Way would be better for the project. Cm. Fasulkey pointed out that IKEA Way would most likely attract consumers to IKEA. Mr. Foss stated that T!(ITmill!1 Commission 2 .'Jauuary 2-{ 2006 there have been extensive traffic studies for this project and the necessary infrastructure would be put in place to accommodate predicted traffic patterns. Cm. Biddle expressed concerns about the mixing of traffic and pedestrians in the interior parking area of the project. Mr. Baldauf stated this area promotes the character and vitality of traditional shopping streets by allowing consumers to park adjacent to the buildings. Mr. Shreeve stated that under the California Building Code, accessible stalls must be located as close to the front door of the building as possible. He then pointed out the disabled parking spaces in the area. Mr. Tooker added that about 10 of the 50 parking spaces in that area would be designated disabled. Cm. Biddle asked if the alternative entrances and exits to the various buildings would be available to customers. Mr. Baldauf stated that customer use of the alternative entrances and exits is not a part of the proposed plan. Cm. Biddle asked about the number of tenants that would occupy some of the buildings. Mr. Baldauf stated that the buildings were designed for multiple leasing options. Cm. King asked if vehicles would drive through the 'Emerald Paseo' area of the project and Mr. Baldauf said yes. Cm. King asked if vehicles could to be barred from that area. Mr. Baldauf stated that this feature is an integral part of the project's design. Cm. King asked if the Hacienda Crossings pedestrian area could be copied into this project. Mr. Baldauf stated this project was created in similar in spirit to the Hacienda Crossings pedestrian area. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the 'Emerald Paseo' area would be wide enough for outdoor seating and Mr. Baldauf said yes. Cm. King asked the width of the pedestrian space between the storefronts and the vehicle lanes. The Applicant stated that the pedestrian space would be 60 feet wide. Cm. King asked the size of the fountain. Mr. Smith stated the fountain would be 18 feet across at the base. Cm. Wehrenberg expressed concerns about the safety of pedestrians in the proposed 'Emerald Paseo' area of the project due to the mix of vehicles and pedestrians. She stated that she would like to see a crosswalk for pedestrians only in that area. Mr. Smith stated that there would be such a path designated for pedestrians only. Cm. Wehrenberg stated that she likes the water garden feature of the project. Cm. Biddle asked if the pedestrian crossway to the proposed IKEA would be elevated. Mr. Baldauf stated that the crossway is currently planned to be at grade. Chair Schaub asked if there was enough flexibility in the project to amend the proposed parking plans if necessary and Mr. Navarro stated yes. Chair Schaub briefly mentioned that the subject of compact parking spaces versus standard parking spaces may be an issue to the City Council. ( 'ommissian 3 }armory 21, 2(1)(j Chair Schaub expressed concerns about the green wall feature of the project. He asked what would happen to the wall vegetation if there was a pause in the water supply. Mr. Smith stated that the green wall system is designed for re-claimed water and is divided into spray and drip irrigation. He further stated that drought tolerant plants would be used. Cm. Fasulkey commended the Architects on their inclusion of Valley Oaks and Coastal Live Oak trees into the landscaping. Cm. King expressed concerns about bland views of the buildings facing the City streets. He expressed satisfaction with the green screen but questioned whether it would completely solve the problem. He asked if there would be any fences or walls in the project. Mr. Smith stated that there would be an area of seating walls made of concrete to match the stone on the base of the buildings. Cm. King stated that he prefers decorative fences rather than concrete fences. Cm. King asked about the loading zone and utility areas of the project. Mr. Baldauf stated that the loading docks would be at either end of the buildings and would not be visible from most elevations of the project. Cm. Wehrenberg requested that signage be clear and easy to read. Cm. King pointed out the significance of interior signage and how it could be used to create a specific character or theme. Cm. Fasulkey asked if there was a Public Art component to this project. Mr. Tooker stated that a Public Art component is proposed, but the nature of the art is still open to the Applicant. Chair Schaub suggested that the water tower feature of the project would be a good opportunity to display an artistic design. Cm. Fasulkey asked if there was a dollar figure associated with Public Art. Ms. Ram, Community Development Director, stated that a Public Art Master Plan is currently being developed. The Planning Commissioners thanked Staff and the Developers for putting this Study Session together. Hearing no further comments Chair Schaub closed the Study Session at 6:54 PM. Cj>iannwg ('ommlssrOYl- 4 .'lanuary 2-l, 2006