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Home My WebLink About8.3 PLPA 2010-00062 REI SDR~~,~ OF D~~ri C, .cry /• ~//~ \1~ ~~`~ ~~.z i ~~ (;~Il f; 0~~~, DATE: TO: November 8, 2011 Planning Commission SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING: PLPA-2010-00062 Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Site Development Review amendment for a revised rear tower element on anewly-constructed retail building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road Report prepared by Kristi Bascom, Principal Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Applicant has submitted a Site Development Review (SDR) application to amend the approved design for the rear tower feature on the newly-constructed REI building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road. The tower elevation has been constructed with materials that are different from what was approved by the Planning Commission on January 24, 2011 and therefore requires an amendment to the SDR approval. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission: 1) Receive Staff presentation; 2) Open the public hearing; 3) Take testimony from the Applicant and the public; 4) Close the public hearing and deliberate; and 5) Adopt a Resolution approving a Site Development Review to amend the approved design for the rear tower feature on the newly-constructed REI building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road. Submitted By evi d By Principal Planner Planning anager COPIES TO: Applicant File ITEM NO.: •~ Page 1 of 5 G:IPA#120101PLPA-2010-00062 New retail building at 7099 APRIPC Mtg 11.08.11 SDR AmendmentlPCSR 11.8.2011. doc STAFF REPORT PLANNING COMMISSION DESCRIPTION: The project site is located at 7099 Amador Plaza Road between Dublin Boulevard and Amador Valley Boulevard in Downtown Dublin. The 1.94-acre site occupies a parcel that has frontage along Amador Plaza Road, is adjacent to the Zone 7 flood control channel to the west, and is visible from Interstate 680. The project vicinity is depicted in Figure 1. The project site has a General Plan Land Use Designation of Downtown Dublin (Retail District) and is located in the Downtown ~~ ~ r ~ .. ~~"~ ~ ~ ~` Dublin Zoning District. The - ~- ~ . ~ %, ;~ ~ ~ -~~ ~~~ proposed retail use is consistent ~~ ~ ~ ~ ° '~ ~- `~ ~ `•_~ ~~ ~~ with both the General Plan land use designation and zoning classification. Background In December 2010, the City received an application from Laconia Development LLC to tear down apartially-constructed building on the project site and build a new retail building in a slightly different configuration from the original approvals that were granted in 2007. The new proposal required an amendment to both the approved Site Development Review as well as an amendment to the Planned Development Zoning District and the related Stage 2 Development Plan that was in place at the time. Section 8.32.080 of the City of Dublin Zoning Ordinance gives the Community Development Director the authority to approve Site Development Review applications for fagade modifications, major modifications to site landscaping, and major modifications to a site plan. Staff worked with the project architect to ensure that the proposal maintained the integrity of the original approval granted by the Planning Commission for the original 2007 project, and Staff reviewed the proposal for compliance with the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan. Site Development Review approval for the Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road was approved by the Community Development Director on January 7, 2011. After the SDR approval was granted by the Community Development Director, the Applicant submitted a revised design for the rear tower feature on the building. On January 24, 2011, the Planning Commission reviewed a modification to the Site Development Review approval issued by the Community Development Director. The modification was limited to the construction of a tower feature on the northeast corner of the building for the purposes of mounting afreeway- oriented wall sign. The tower element with wall signage was not envisioned in the plans for the original building approved in 2007, and therefore the Community Development Director referred this modification to the Planning Commission. 2 of 5 The tower element approved by the Planning Commission via Resolution 11-02 was clad in the same architectural metal siding as the entry tower feature at the building's front elevation. However, once the building was under construction, the developer decided to build the tower element with an EIFS finish (to match the rest of the building) and the architectural metal was used only in a small recessed area immediately around the freeway-facing sign. The construction was not completed in compliance with the approved plans for the building. Because the tower element was the focus of the Planning Commission approval for the project, Staff determined that a change to this feature should be reviewed and considered by the Planning Commission. ANALYSIS: b r~Y *u r 5 ~@ ~ 4 Building Design The revised tower element on the east elevation remains 40 feet above grade and the freeway- oriented sign on the east elevation has been installed per the approved Master Sign Program. The difference in the approved plans (Attachment 1) and the tower as constructed (Attachment 2) is the finish material that was used on the tower. All other components of the building architecture and site improvements remain as approved. A photo of the tower as constructed is shown here: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), together with the State Guidelines and City Environmental Regulations require that certain projects be reviewed for environmental impacts and when applicable, environmental documents prepared. For this project, Staff recommends that the project be found exempt from CEQA in accordance with Section 15301 (Minor alterations to existing facilities involving little or no expansion). The project involves no expansion of the existing commercial building, but includes only architectural building. ^ ~~F; ~~~~. :a~~a modifications to the previously-approved CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, SPECIFIC PLAN, AND ZONING ORDINANCE: The project has been reviewed for compliance with the General Plan, policies contained in Community Design and Sustainability Element. The proposed project is consistent with policies relating to building and site design, gathering and open spaces areas, and parking and circulation. The project site is located in a Planned Development Zoning District. The project is consistent with Development Regulations for this zoning district as described Stage 2 Development Plan, as amended. 3of5 The project is also consistent with the development standards and design guidelines of the proposed Downtown Dublin Specific Plan, as noted above. REVIEW BY APPLICABLE DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES: The Building Division, Fire Prevention Bureau, Public Works Department, Dublin Police Services, and Dublin San Ramon Services District have reviewed the project and provided Conditions of Approval where appropriate to ensure that the project is established in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: In accordance with State law, a Public Notice was mailed to all property owners and occupants within 300-feet of the proposed project. The Public Notice was also published in the Valley Times and posted at several locations throughout the City. To date, the City has received no comments from surrounding property owners regarding the Project. A copy of this Staff Report was provided to the Applicant. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Project Plans for the REI building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road, approved by the Planning Commission on January 24, 2011. 2) Resolution approving a Site Development Review to amend the approved design for the rear tower feature on the newly-constructed REI building at 7099 Amador Plaza Road, with the Project Plan Set showing the proposed tower element included as Exhibit A. 4of5 GENERAL INFORMATION: LOCATION: 7099 Amador Plaza Road (APN 941-0305-026) APPLICANT/ OWNER: Michael Carey, Laconia Development (DBA 7099 Amador Plaza LLC), 1981 North Broadway, Suite 415, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 ASSESSORS PARCEL NUMBER: 941-0305-026-00 ZONING: GENERAL PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION: SPECIFIC PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION: SURROUNDING USES: Downtown Dublin Zoning District Downtown Dublin (Retail District) n/a GENERAL PLAN LAND CURRENT USE OF LOCATION ZONING USE PROPERTY Downtown Dublin Downtown Dublin Commercial/Shopping North Zonin District Retail District) Center Downtown Dublin Downtown Dublin Commercial/Shopping South Zonin District Retail District Center East n/a n/a Interstate 680 Downtown Dublin Downtown Dublin Commercial/Shopping West Zoning District (Retail District) Center REFERENCES: Zoning Ordinance General Plan Downtown Dublin Specific Plan 5of5