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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2006 PC Minutes P fanning Commission Minutes CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL A regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Plaza. Chair Schaub called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Schaub, Vice Chair Wehrenberg, Commissioners Biddle, Fasulkey, and King; Gregory Shreeve, Building Official; Scott McMillan, Deputy Fire Marshal; Chris Foss, Acting Planning Manager; Erica Fraser, Senior Planner; and Rhonda Franklin, Recording Secretary. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA - NONE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The March 14,2006 minutes were approved as submitted. Vice Chair Wehrenberg and Cm. King abstained from the vote because they did not attend the March 14, 2006 meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.1 P A 06-002 Elephant Bar Restaurant - Request for a Site Development Review and Conditional Use Permit. Chair Schaub asked for the staff report. Ms. Erica Fraser, Senior Planner, presented the specifics of the project as outlined in the staff report. Chair Schaub asked if there would be physical changes to the roof of the existing building, and Ms. Fraser said yes. Cm. Fasulkey asked about the proposed square footage of the zebra-stripe paint design. Ms. Fraser presented the proposed elevations of the project and pointed out the areas that would have the zebra-stripe design. Mr. Chris Foss, Acting Planning Manager, pointed out that the Planning Commission could add a Condition of Approval to the Resolution that could limit the amount of the zebra-stripe design used on the project. Pranning Commim'on 1?~{Ju14r 5tte.eting 31 :March 28, 2006 Chair Schaub asked if recycled water would be available to the site, and Ms. Fraser said no. Chair Schaub stated that the Planning Commission would like to encourage the use of recycled water in the Downtown. Cm. Biddle asked if the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) had any plans to incorporate recycled water into the Downtown, and Mr. Foss said not at this time. Cm. King asked what the Downtown Core Specific Plan contemplates for the inside area of the project site. Mr. Foss stated that the original Downtown Core Specific Plan included a plaza within the parking area of the project site. The area now contains a pathway that bisects that parking area. He further stated that there would be an upcoming retail project on the former theater site; however, there would be no other planned building inside the project site because it contains reserved parking spaces for the tenants. Cm. King asked if the Downtown Core Specific Plan originally contemplated a small village square concept. Mr. Foss stated that some of the village square elements would be incorporated into the upcoming project for the site. Chair Schaub asked about the three Downtown Specific Plans that were prioritized in the Goals & Objectives discussion. Mr. Foss stated that the 'Evaluation of Main Street Retail' was deleted as a Goal & Objective for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. Cm. Biddle commented on the surplus of parking spaces on the project site and asked if it would be possible to locate buildings along the open area of Amador Plaza Road in order to create a downtown feeling. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would be reviewing the Downtown Specific Plan and would look into that possibility. Cm. Biddle asked if there was one property owner for the project site, and Mr. Foss stated that there are multiple owners. Mr. Foss stated that projects along Amador Plaza Road would most likely be maxed out within the next few weeks. Chair Schaub asked if Staff could provide the Planning Commission with a parcel map of the project site, and Mr. Foss said yes. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked for additional detail on the backlit panel shown on the east elevation of the project. Ms. Fraser stated that the Architect would be able to give a detailed description of this feature. Chair Schaub opened the public hearing. Ron Liberman, Architect, gave a detailed description of the project on behalf of the Applicant. He explained that the backlit panel would soften the wall and provide security around the building. Mr. Foss asked if the backlit panel would emit a soft glow, and Mr. Liberman said yes. Chair Schaub asked if the backlit panel would be on in the evenings only, and Mr. Liberman said yes. Chair Schaub asked Mr. Liberman if he had used this type of feature before. Mr. Liberman stated that he had used similar types of design. Chair Schaub asked if the light would Pfannin9 Commission '1?HJuwr 5WeetinB 32 "lan;fi 28, 2006 show the seams on the wall. Mr. Liberman stated that the seams would probably not be noticeable. Cm. Fasulkey asked if there would be landscape lighting on the ground. Mr. Liberman stated that the area would be very well lit. Cm. Fasulkey asked if some of the lights would be on during the night and early morning hours. Mr. Liberman stated that the lights would be on a time clock that would probably be set to go off around 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. Ms. Fraser stated that the Conditions of Approval requires the Applicant to maintain a one foot candle illumination on the property. Cm. Fasulkey asked for clarification of a one foot candle illumination. Mr. Gregory Shreeve, Building Official, provided an example of a current use of this type of illumination. Cm. King asked where the supplies would be delivered. Mr. Liberman stated that supplies would be delivered at the back of the building. Cm. King stated that the project has a lovely design and that the outdoor dining area is a wonderful idea. He asked what could be done to better camouflage the trash doors since they would be facing the parking lot. Mr. Liberman stated that they are attempting to enhance the area the best way possible with the new paint colors, trim, and cornice moldings. Chair Schaub agreed that having trash doors that face the Target & Expo Design Center parking lots creates a dilemma. Mr. Liberman stated that the proposed materials and finishes would relate all elevations of the project as well as mimic the traditional Elephant Bar design. Mr. Foss suggested that, upon direction from the Planning Commission, Staff could work with the Applicant to achieve a better design for the trash doors. Cm. Fasulkey suggested that signage on the doors could be a solution. Mr. Foss pointed out that additional signage could be approved through a revision to the Master Sign Program. Cm. Fasulkey asked if any thought had been put into installing plexi-glass panels around the outside seating area to shield it from the wind. Mr. Liberman stated that they had not planned on enclosing the patio. He further stated that the current plan provides for a 36-inch high wall with an IS-inch zebra-grill design. Chair Schaub commented that the outside seating area would be located on the best side of the building where less wind action occurs. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would be happy to work with the Applicants should they decide to install plexi-glass panels at a later date. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked if Elephant Bar Restaurants in other cities have the zebra-stripe design. Ms. Rhona Griego, Applicant, stated that the majority of Elephant Bar Restaurants have the zebra-stripe design. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked if the zebra-stripe design would be a required component of the project's design, and Mr. Liberman said yes. Chair Schaub commented that he does not have a problem with the zebra-stripe design; however, it should not be an overly bold design. Mr. Liberman stated that the design would be a single tone contrast and would not be overly bold. Ms. Griego and Mr. Liberman discussed the colors on the color board, and noted that the colors are from a 2006 color palette. <Pfanning Commission 'Xtgu[ar :Meeting 33 illan;fi 28, 2006 Cm. Fasulkey asked if signage on the trash doors would be counted as signage in the Master Sign Program. Ms. Fraser said yes, and explained that amendments to the Master Sign Program would be approved by Staff and would not be brought before the Planning Commission. Chair Schaub reminded the Planning Commissioners that the role of the Planning Commission is to make decisions on land use and not the brand of the establishment. Hearing no further questions, Chair Schaub closed the public hearing. Cm. King stated that he would like a Condition of Approval to be added to the Resolution that would require a better design for the trash doors. Vice Chair Wehrenberg stated that she is not opposed to the current design of the trash area, but does not want attention drawn to the area in an attempt to camouflage it. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would work with the Applicant on different design options for the trash doors. Chair Schaub stated that he would like to see faux windows added to the northwest elevation of the project to break up the solid wall of zebra stripes. He pointed out that the Planning Commission's decision on this project would be precedent-setting for this area of the City. Mr. Foss clarified that it was the direction of the Planning Commission to have Staff work with the Applicant on design options to break up the zebra stripes on the northwest and southwest corners of the building, and the Planning Commissioners agreed. Cm. Biddle stated that he does not have a problem with the zebra stripes, but has no objection to breaking it up. Chair Schaub stated that with this decision, the Planning Commission would be setting a precedent which would allow them to make similar decisions for future projects if necessary. Mr. Foss asked if the direction of the Planning Commission is to break up the zebra stripes on the northwest and southwest corners and to leave the zebra stripes across the west side over the doors, and the Planning Commissioners unanimously agreed. Mr. Foss asked the Applicant if she would be willing to work with Staff to minimize the zebra stripes on the northwest and southwest corners, and the Applicant said yes. Ms. Fraser asked if the Planning Commission would like to have these directions placed in the Conditions of Approval, and the Planning Commissioners unanimously agreed. Cm. Biddle commented that he likes the project's outdoor seating area and the landscape. Vice Chair Wehrenberg commented that this project would be excellent addition to the area. Chair Schaub stated that the Planning Commission has approved all of the findings as outlined in the Resolution. Mr. Foss thanked the Dublin San Ramon Services District for working with Staff and the Applicant to provide a benefit to the project site. On a motion by Cm. Biddle, seconded by Vice Chair Wehrenberg, with a suggestion to "add Conditions of Approval to: 1) Require the building permit plans to show that the Applicant will break up the massing of the zebra-stripe walls on the northwest and southwest elevations, and 2) Require the pfanning Commission 1.?.fguwr ~M_eetinB 34 ~l-farrli 28, 2006 Applicant to work with Staff to incorporate additional design features to the rear elevation", and by a vote of 5-0-0, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 06-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING A SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A FA<;ADE REMODEL AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREA FOR THE ELEPHANT BAR RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 7202 AMADOR PLAZA ROAD (APN 941-0305-028) P A 06-002 Mr. Foss asked when construction would begin. The Applicant stated that she hopes to begin construction by November 1, 2006. Ms. Fraser reminded the Applicant of the 10-day appeal period following this decision. NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Thomas Fredrich, Property Owner, approached the podium to ask about Project P A 04-016 Fallon Crossing/Standard Pacific Homes that was tentatively scheduled to be discussed this evening. Mr. Foss stated that the item had been postponed and apologized for the postponement. Chair Schaub asked about bringing recycled water to the Downtown. Cm. Fasulkey asked if shadow conduits were only applicable for curbside improvements to standard utilities, and Mr. Shreeve said yes. Chair Schaub stated that a justification for using landscape architecture should be that it is sustained by recycled water. Mr. Shreeve pointed out that the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) controls the implementation of recycled water use. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would inform DSRSD of the Planning Commission's interest in having recycled water available in the Downtown. Chair Schaub stated that the Planning Commission would be encouraging, if not requiring, new developments to use recycled water. Cm. Biddle asked if DSRSD was in a position where they are trying to get rid of recycled water. Staff stated that they were not sure. Chair Schaub asked that a discussion of the 2006-2007 Goals & Objectives be placed on a future agenda and Mr. Foss said yes. Chair Schaub asked where the list findings outlined in the resolutions come from. Ms. Fraser stated that the basic findings are derived from the Zoning Ordinance. Chair Schaub asked if Staff could arrange the findings in a more clear and bold format. Cm. Fasulkey proposed that this issue be discussed with the Community Development Director before any decisions are made. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would discuss the issue with the Community Development Director and place it on a future agenda. P[anning Commission 1l..rgu14r !Afeeting 35 !-.lfanli 28, 2006 Mr. Foss distributed the City's Policy on Ex Parte Contacts to the Planning Commissioners and briefly discussed the Policy. Cm. King asked if this Policy could be added to the Planning Commission agenda on a regular basis. Mr. Foss stated that the Policy is self-governing; however, he would discuss adding it to the agenda with Staff. Mr. Foss reminded the Planning Commissioners that Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interest is due by 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2006. Mr. Foss stated that the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 13, 2006 has been tentatively cancelled. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked about a possible signage violation on Village Parkway. Mr. Foss stated that Staff would discuss the issue with the City's Code Enforcement Officer. OTHER BUSINESS 10.1 Brief INFORMATION ONLY reports from the Planning Commission and/or Staff, including Committee Reports and Reports by the Planning Commission related to meetings attended at City Expense (AB 1234). Chair Schaub, Commissioners Biddle, Fasulkey, and King reported their attendance to the League of California Cities Planners Institute & Mini Expo held in Monterey, California on March 22-24, 2006. Vice Chair Wehrenberg did not attend this event. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Planning Commission Chair PI Pfanning Commission tJ?rgu14r :M.eetiug 36 o'Jan;fi 28, 20()6