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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.3 Attch 1 12-09-2008 StudySession Minutes l~~~~~~i~~ ~ ~ oiiinzissi I 4: ~~~id~~ Sess~~Jn M ~iiiiles CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday December 9, 2008, in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Plaza. Chair Schaub called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. ATTENDEES Present: Chair Schaub; Commissioners King, Biddle and Wehrenberg; Jeri Ram, Community Development Director; Mike Porto, Consulting Planner; and Debra LeClair, Recording Secretary. ABSENT: None 1.1 PA 06-060, Avalon Dublin Station (Transit Center Site C) for Stage 2 Development Plan and Site Development Review submitted by Avalon Bay Communities, Inc. Mike Porto, Consulting Planner presented the project as stated in the Staff Report. Chair Schaub asked for the height of Elan at Dublin Station. Mr. Porto answered 6 stories and the loft units. Chair Schaub asked about the zoning of the lot neXt to site C. Mr. Porto answered it is zoned campus/ office. Chair Schaub asked Mr. Porto to point out the entrances to the parking structures. Mr. Porto pointed out the entrances and exits on the model. Cm. King asked if there will be access from the retail on the ground floor through to the courtyards. Mr. Porto answered that the Applicant will answer that question. Chair Schaub asked how many commercial tenants there will be. Mr. Porto answered there are 18,000 sq ft of retail for the project. He continued there are a total of 22,000 sq ft of non- residential use, 6,000 sq ft of amenity and leasing and 16,000 sq ft of retail/commercial space. Chair Schaub asked if there are any proposed restaurants designated in the retail/commercial space, and if so the Commission will need to know so that they can ensure the correct parking ratios. Mr. Porto suggested the Commission discuss the tenants with the Applicant. He continued there have been no parking problems at the Transit Center or at the BART parking structure. Chair Schaub was concerned that the BART users will want to use the Avalon parking structure if the BART structure is full which could be a problem. Mr. Porto showed a CD produced by the Applicant that showed a fly-over of the project. <Ylarerrrnjj {'ornm>rssi;3rr 1 Ilecem6er9, 2008 ~tudyS"sio" ATTACHMENT 1 Cm. Wehrenberg stated, after reviewing the parking information in the project plans and the notes in the parking table, she asked if the area would have restricted parking. Paul Kruger, Consulting Engineer responded that most of the notes on the page were his notes. He stated his concern is the Zoning Code which requires 1.5 spaces/unit designated for residents but none were designated for guests. He stated a study was done during Phase 1 that recommended 15% of the 1.5 spaces/unit be reserved for guests and retail. He felt that there should be a provision for guests to obtain a pass for the parking structure and be able to park for longer than 2 hours. He stated that BART indicated they would need approximately 34 spaces for use on the westbound loop where there is the drop off area, taxi stand, attendant parking, and some 2-hour parking. He stated he also wanted to ensure that the eastbound traffic had some spaces as well. Cm. Wehrenberg was concerned that there would be a lot of enforcement needed with the shared parking plan. She asked if there is a requirement from BART for this development to provide BART parking at this location. Paul Kruger answered the BART parking structure is being built by Alameda County according to the Parcel Map 7389 in the public right of way but there was no requirement from BART for parking at this project except as noted earlier. Mr. Porto referred the Commission to the table that he provided in his presentation which showed that, unlike other projects where there is not enough parking, this project is over- parked by 106 stalls. He stated the Applicant is only required to have 654 spaces but will provide 760 spaces, 40 of which are on the public street. Cm. Wehrenberg felt Mr. Porto's table made it easier to understand the parking requirements. Mr. Porto agreed to include the parking table in the Staff Report. Cm. Wehrenberg was concerned about clear communication and signage for the BART riders and residents of the Transit Center during the construction phase to ensure clear directions into the parking areas as well as safety for the area. She suggested that it should be addressed before construction begins by the developer. Mr. Porto stated there would be clear Conditions of Approval regarding signage and resident safety. Chair Schaub commented that the current ground parking will no longer be available once construction begins and will need to be a clear understanding of the construction phasing. Cm. Wehrenberg was concerned about the enclosed rooms for bike storage in the parking garages. She was also concerned that the trash rooms will have enough space for recycling bins. She was unsure of the use for a room across from a mechanical room in the parking structure. Jeff White, Avalon Bay, answered as part of the redesign of the parking structure they needed to screen the cars from view. In order to do that they had to enclose the openings with screening to mechanically ventilate the garages with shafts that go up through the garage to the roof. He stated the solid walls for the bike storage rooms were a request from Planning. Cm. Wehrenberg asked if the bike storage rooms will be for residents only, how they will access it, and how many bikes can be stored there. =Pt"aztnirrg C'omixission 2 Uscemfier 9, 2(I(18 Strfdv,4eas7'aa Mr. White answered the bicycle racks will be vertical hanging racks that will store from 20 to 40 bikes. He stated the City requirement is for storage of one bicycle per unit. Cm. Wehrenberg felt that if there is a shared parking plan it is good to promote bicycles. Chair Schaub wanted to ensure that the police were aware of the locked, enclosed bike storage rooms in the parking structure and felt it could be an unsafe situation. Mr. Porto stated the police have reviewed the plans and they had no concerns regarding the bike storage rooms but he agreed to have the police review the plans again. Cm. Wehrenberg asked if there is a requirement for security cameras for the bike rooms. Mr. Porto responded that the police have very specific criteria for these types of structures and have already given Staff their Conditions of Approval which include their requirements for garages. Chair Schaub reminded Staff the location of the parking structure is next to BART and close to the Santa Rita Jail and was concerned about the safety of the residents within the enclosed bike storage areas. Mr. White pointed out that each garage has internal gates to restrict vehicular and pedestrian access. Cm. Wehrenberg stated she visited the site with the elevation drawings so that she could visualize how it would look. She stated she liked the detail of the buildings, the color usage and how the plans break up the massing. She liked the roofline and how it blends in with the rest of the adjacent projects. Cm. King asked if this area is supposed to be a destination to attract people to shop, etc. Chair Schaub stated that in the new Community Design and Sustainability Element this area is desi ated as one of the "Sense of Arrival" points. Cm. King asked if this project is a certain type of design. Mr. Porto answered the closest design type would be modern, such as an urban contemporary look. Jeff White responded that while working with Planning on the design type they reviewed the 1St phase of the project which was Mediterranean, and discussed whether they should do something different, such as urban contemporary or the same or sort of a cousin to the lst phase. He stated the Applicant is proposing to take elements from the 1St phase but create differences so that it would not be one massive Avalon project, which he felt would be too much. He stated the stone is the same as the 1St phase but used more on the corners of this project as well as the base and introduced different elements which were not on the 1St phase. Cm. King stated that in the Community Design and Sustainability Element it mentions distinctive identity and felt the project is attractive but did not believe it has a signature that sa s this is Dublin. I'l~ann[rrjj (,bmmi.ssann 3 (L7€cerrz6er 9, 2008 Study.Scssaon Chair Schaub felt that this project would be seen from I-580 and will be one of the biggest sense of arrival points and would be "Dublin° to a lot of people. Cm. King felt that something could be done, cosmetically, without increasing costs, to change the project so that it has a distinctive identity. He mentioned Hacienda Crossings as a very distinctive development with an art deco theme that is different and identifiable. He felt the current project is not distinctive enough. He stated there is a lot of good design in the project so that it is not bland and boring but wanted more distinctive design. He felt that the central plaza that faces the BART station would be a good place for public art. Mr. Porto stated that John Hartnett, Heritage and Cultural Art Manager, is working with the Applicant to place public art at the Transit Center area. He stated the Public Art component predates the City of Dublin Public Art Ordinance. He stated there was a commitment made by the County of Alameda and funds provided for public art at the Transit Center. He continued that the plaza is one possible location for the public art area and they are reviewing other areas also. Cm. King asked what the effect of having restaurants at the project would be so that residents could walk to them. He felt restaurants would also attract people from outside the area and was unsure as to how that would impact traffic at the project. Cm. King asked if the two central plaza areas will be accessible to the public or are only intended for residents. Mr. White answered they will be secured for residents only which is similar to Elan and Dublin Station. Cm. King stated his preference would be to open the plazas to the public but that could be a security issue for the residents. Chair Schaub stated that he likes most of the project, but he does not like the roof line and felt that parking on the roof is inappropriate. He stated he would like to see rooflines on the units that are similar to the other buildings. He stated he has taken pictures of other apartment buildings in the City to see what the Commission liked and did not like. He was concerned that this project is at an entrance point into Dublin and has a problem with how it will be viewed. The pictures that Chair Schaub took were shared with the meeting participants. There was a discussion re ardin the rooflines. Chair Schaub felt the challenge for the roofline is to find some kind of elements that will make the roof look more distinctive from above, because that is where most people will see it. Cm. King suggested a faqade on the roofs to break it up. Chair Schaub stated he could be okay with the parking on the roof because there is a parking problem. He felt that trellising the lights would help but he was concerned that the people in the adjacent buildings would see the lights from the cars, but as long as they are shielded that is fine. Cm. Biddle asked if the wall on the roof shields the cars. Mr. Porto answered yes; it is of sufficient height to reach the car grill, bumper and a portion of the windshield. 'Aanning Commisazun 4 'Oecersrfer9, 20Ois S'turC1• S'essictn Cm. Biddle asked if there is another way to install lights on the roof or is there a building code that requires those types of lights. Mr. Porto answered that they will work with the Applicant to integrate trellises into the roof parking area. Mr. Porto continued that another project he has worked on has integrated a trellis element or screen that will keep the lights from being obtrusive off-site. He felt that Staff can work with the Applicant to include adequate light on the roof to be safe, but without tall poles. Mr. Porto stated that Staff understands the Commissiori s concerns regarding the roofline and the light standards and agreed to work with the Applicant on these issues before the Public Hearin . Cm. Biddle felt the interior of the project is very well done and he likes the stone treatment at the junction of the two streets, but would generally like to see less stucco and mare stone or something like stone. Mr. Porto asked if the Commission liked the wood. Cm. Biddle answered it was acceptable. Mr. Porto stated the wood would not be the Prodema material but a hearty plank which is used in some single family residential projects. He asked the Commission if they are comfortable if the Applicant choose to use the wood in conjunction with the stone. Chair Schaub felt the wood would be acceptable if it has some good overlap so that it could be seen, because if the wood planks are too small or too thin the entire concept could be lost. He felt that as long as it has some good texture it will break up the buildings nicely. Cm. King referred to the Community Design and Sustainability Element, Page 89 states, "encourage signature building architecture at gatezvays that are oriented tozvard the gatezvay to create a sense of place". He stated there are two pictures that are not rectilinear; one is a circular building and the other The Green at Park Place where there is a signature element that draws people in and felt this ro'ect could do some kind of si nature element also. Mr. Porto asked if he is looking for the signature element to be viewed from the BART plaza rather than seeing it from the Iron Horse Parkway or an existing project. Chair Schaub stated that the BART plaza view is the most important. Cm. Biddle felt that landscaping in this area will be important. He liked the fact that the sidewalks are wide and felt the addition of benches and planters would be nice. He felt it would be good to have large trees immediately but understands that would be difficult. He stated he would like to see landscaping that will be well maintained and will look better in a few years than when it is installed. Chair Schaub asked the Commissioners if they are all in favor of looking at the roofline of the project. Cm. Wehrenberg agreed with Chair Schaub regarding the lights on the parking garage but it would depend on how the lights would be screened. Aannfrtg C'amnrssaion $ 27eterri&er 9, 2008 S'tudiSe.rsion Chair Schaub was concerned that there is too much white in this project and that in the past the Commission has discouraged the use of white because they considered it too glaring. He fel the Commission would be in agreement to change the colors to incorporate the use of othe colors besides white. Cm. Biddle appreciated the Applicant's effort on the parking issue. Mr. Porto discussed the parking for the project and stated he will incorporate the information into the Staff Report for the public hearing on the project. Cm. Biddle felt that, besides the number of parking spaces, it would be important to include some kind of control that restricts parking in the structure. He felt that if there is no control then BART patrons will use it as a second parking garage. Mr. Porto stated the structure will be gated but will bring more details to the Public Hearing. Chair Schaub asked the Applicant if he was clear on the points the Commission would like changed. Mr. White answered he appreciated the input and felt he has a lot of information to work with. ADTOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bill Schaub Chair Planning Commission ATTEST: Jeri Ram, AICP Community Development Director G.•IM7NUTESI20081STUDYSESS/ONSIPCSSAvnlon Dublin St12.9.08.doc Ydanning Com~nis~sion 6 ~~s,~ena6er 9, ZE~t1z4 St+rrLi Snssion