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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2008 Adopted CC Min Jt Mtg (2) A special joint meeting of the Dublin City Council and Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in the Council Chambers of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m., by Mayor Lockhart. . ROLL CALL PRESENT: Council members Hildenbrand, Oravetz, and Scholz, and Mayor Lockhart and Vice Mayor Sbranti. Planning Commissioners Biddle, Tomlinson, Wehrenberg and Chair Schaub ABSENT: Commissioner King. . Mayor Lockhart opened the public comment portion of the meeting and hearing no comment, closed the public comment. THE GREEN ON PARK PLACE Mayor Lockhart asked for the presentation from Staff. 1. The Green on Park Place (previously referred to as Emerald Place Retail Center) - Stage 2 Planned Development Preliminary site plan review (PA 07- 019) Kristi Bascom, Project Planner presented the project as stated in the Staff Report. Ms. Bascom stated the Applicant has responded to the Planning Commission's concerns with the current site plan. Jerry Hunt, Blake Hunt Ventures, the Applicant, spoke in favor of the project. Mr. Hunt thanked the Council and Commissioners for the opportunity to discuss the project. He announced the new name of the project as "The Green" and that Whole Foods has been DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 1 added to the project. He stated their vision for the project as a community destination, as well as a unique shopping experience. Bill Smith, Smith and Smith Landscape Architect, the Applicant, spoke in favor of the project. Ms. Bascom stated there are approximately four questions for the Council members and Planning Commissioners to discuss regarding the overall site plan, building orientation, and the town green. The first question: is the building layout appropriate for the project, if not, how should it change - referring to the layout of the project in the east-west orientation with the bulk of the buildings surrounding the town green area which will be an open space with different elements. Cmr. Biddle asked about setbacks for the three buildings on Martinelli. Ms. Bascom answered there is a set back but there is no parking in front of them. Cmr. Biddle asked about the orientation of the main entry of the buildings. Ms. Bascom answered that the main entry will be off the parking field with architecture facing onto Martinelli. Cmr. Biddle asked about an entry at the corner of Hacienda and Martinelli. Ms. Bascom stated that there will be something there but it has not been finalized as yet. Cmr. Wehrenberg felt that the overall layout would work well but would wait to look at the architectural drawings to make a final determination. Cmr. Scholz asked if the buildings that Cmr. Biddle referred to were close to the street and would have no parking. Ms. Bascom answered that there would be no parking between the building and the street similar to other buildings along Dublin Blvd. Cm. Oravetz had no comments at this point of the meeting. Cmr. Schaub was concerned about building 1100 which seems to be isolated. He was also very concerned with wind and the buildings that were split at the west end of the project. He suggested adding a partial second floor creating a wind block, but felt that the wind would still be strong in the middle of the project. Cmr. Tomlinson agreed with Cmr. Schaub's concern. He felt people would be more comfortable and make better use of the town green area if building 200 was not split and a second floor was added that would give some height to the building and create a wind block. He commented that the pedestrian circulation plan does not take into consideration the placement of building 1100 and felt that special paving or a landscape area would 2 DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 ~ Of D@~ J/~~~~~~\~ 19~ ~82 ,~, c:.411Fr\Q~~ enhance the connection with rest of the complex. He approved of how the center buildings taper towards the Whole Foods building making it visually attractive. Cm. Hildebrand agreed with Cmr. Tomlinson regarding the placement and pedestrian access of building 1100. She stated that she was not concerned by the two buildings at the west end being split and commented that the wind in the afternoon can be cooling to the area when the weather is hot but would defer to the experts. Vm. Sbranti agreed with keeping building 200 split but would like to see a wind study and the also agreed regarding the placement of building 1100. He stated that he liked the orientation towards the village green, and felt it was unique and would be looked at as a signature center with a lot of activity. He also liked the parking on the outside of the project, with different access points to different areas. Mayor Lockhart was concerned with the issue of people feeling safe moving through the parking field. She also felt it is important to connect building 1100 with the center of the green. She liked the split buildings because it provides an opening to the BART station and felt that it was more welcoming as two buildings. She agreed with Cm. Hildebrand regarding the wind in Dublin. She stated that overall she liked the project and felt it is very pedestrian friendly and offers an opportunity for visitors with access challenges as well. Cm. Oravetz was concerned about the exits and entrances to the project but was supportive of the site plan and felt it provides adequate access to the center. Vm. Sbranti agreed with Cmr. Biddle regarding the importance of an entry monument at the corner of Hacienda and Martinelli that will invite people into the center. Cmr. Schaub clarified that when he referred to building 200 being split - he did not mean putting the building back together but putting a second story that would help cut the wind. Cm. Oravetz agreed with Cmr. Schaub and Cmr. Tomlinson in regards to building 200 but also agrees with the Mayor and Cm. Hildenbrand that the split building gives more of openness to the site. Cmr. Wehrenberg added that it will be important to keep in mind, during the architectural phase that the businesses, shops and the monuments will need to be seen from 1-580 and Hacienda. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 3 Ms. Bascom stated that the second question to the panel was regarding pedestrian circulation and asked if there were any additional comments. Cmr. Biddle was concerned about pedestrian traffic crossing Hacienda at the intersection of Martinelli and Hacienda. Ms. Bascom asked Mark Lander, City Engineer, if there is a crosswalk at that intersection. Mr. Lander stated that they could look at adding a crosswalk on the south side, but the problem is with the triple left turn going into the site onto Martinelli from Hacienda the left turn traffic would conflict with the crosswalk which could create some operational problems but would review it. Cmr. Wehrenberg was concerned about pedestrian traffic around buildings 300 and 400 and asked if there would be more detail on the pedestrian circulation plan. Ms. Bascom answered that the vehicles coming into the site off of Martinelli are not stop controlled and felt that there would not be a lot of pedestrian traffic crossing at that point and that pedestrians would take the most direct route from their car to the center. She stated that they would be taking a look at the pedestrian circulation again once the Stage 2 site plan is submitted and particularly as it relates to the main drive aisle. Mayor Lockhart thought it was important to make the site plan pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Cmr. Tomlinson asked if Whole Foods would have an entrance on The Green side as well as the parking field. Ms. Bascom stated that she and the Applicant have impressed upon Whole Foods that they need to have a presence on The Green as well as an entrance onto the parking field. Ms. Bascom went on to the third question regarding overall emergency vehicle circulation and specifically delivery areas. She stressed that the delivery area for Whole Foods will be completely screened from view and the delivery areas for building 200 and the buildings to the north will be completely screened and internalized. The loading areas for buildings 300 and 400 are not specifically loading docks but delivery zones. Mayor Lockhart asked the panel if there were any concerns regarding the vehicle circulation plan - there were none. She asked about trash enclosures and dumpsters and if there would be space for recycling food waste for restaurants. She felt that this is a big issue for cities to provide more recycling especially for a big center like this project. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 4 Vm. Sbranti felt that trees and natural vegetation would be a way that loading docks could be screened also. Cmr. Wehrenberg asked if the loading docks for buildings 300 and 400 would prohibit vehicle circulation. Ms. Bascom answered that those are actually pocket areas not actual loading docks. Ms. Bascom stated that the fourth question for the panel is regarding the landscaping for The Green area and requested feedback regarding the concepts and preliminary design ideas. She stated that the Applicant has added two small buildings to the project since the Stage 1 Site Plan was approved in order to activate the area and asked for feedback on that component also. Cmr. Schaub approved of the site plan and stated that he thought the addition of the small buildings added a lot to The Green area. Cmr. Biddle added that the play and park areas with benches and tables adds a lot to the area. Mayor Lockhart suggested having a controlled space for children to play would allow parents to shop. She added that Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek has an ice rink in the winter time which encourages families to use the space. She felt that outdoor activities would bring families into the site. Vm. Sbranti mentioned Downtown Sacramento where there is an ice rink from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day that draws people into a commercial area. He felt that the site would need something to draw people into The Green area. He also felt that having the ability to close the street for various street fairs or art shows, etc. would be an opportunity to bring people into the center. Cmr. Tomlinson agreed with Vm. Sbranti and mentioned Santana Row who closes their street almost every day for some event and by doing so encourages shoppers to cross from one side of the site to another. Cm. Oravetz mentioned eliminating the driving area but thought that closing it off from time to time would be a good alternative. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 ~~W~ SPECIAL MEETING rr~~~~~ March 4, 2008 ,~~~, 0....._ _...\\.~ 5 Ms. Bascom asked for additional comments from the panel and stated that the next steps would be for the development team to finalize the site plan, submit the Stage 2 PD, and SDR application within the next couple of months. Mr. Hunt, the Applicant thanked the Council and Commission. Jim Wright, Blake Hunt, Applicant thanked the panel for their remarks regarding building 1100 because they had not realized the problem there and will work to change it. He then stated that they had commissioned Environmental Science Associates to build a model and do wind tests at the University of Davis wind tunnel. He felt that after the tests were completed they would be able to determine ways to mitigate the wind. Mr. Wright discussed the issue of food recycling and stated that they are creating a wet recycling center for another project in Alameda County. He stated that they had discussed uses for The Green during the day with different uses at night. He stated that they had worked with the City Engineer and Staff to discuss ways of closing The Green and have ADA access while holding functions there. Cmr. Schaub commented that Cmr. King who could not be present was concerned about the appearance of the back of the buildings in what is a gateway to Dublin. He mentioned the two sides of Whole Foods and the back of buildings 700 and 800 will be areas that the Planning Commission will review because it is important to have them look nice because of their visibility. Mr. Wright stated that the architectural treatments and the row of 18 to 20 foot tall fruitless olive trees will screen those buildings and the delivery areas. Cmr. Wehrenberg stated that she felt the coast live oak trees did not fit well with the project and was also concerned about maintenance of the landscaping for the project. Mr. Hunt responded to the panel's concerns regarding the relationship of the 200 and 1100 buildings to the center, the safety and comfort of getting from the parking fields to the center and the number of egress and ingress points at the project. Mayor Lockhart suggested that the parking fields be signed well. Mr. Hunt thanked the Council and Commission. Mayor Lockhart thanked Staff and the Applicant for their presentation as well as the public for sharing their time. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 6 ~OfW~ J/~~~~~~\~ 19~ ~82 ,~, 0i,,__~~':, . ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adj ourned at 7 :00 p.m. in memory of our fallen troops. Minutes prepared by Debra LeClair, Secretary. ATTEST: ckL* Deputy City Clerk l f i ,/ \ " / r /. I / '. \ '.~ .... i ~ '-/ ,- / . \ / "j/:Y't/.)l ~./I2{f/r:l ,:e2 i.~i Mayor l DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES VOLUME 27 SPECIAL MEETING March 4, 2008 7