HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-1990 Adopted CC Min Study SessionSPECIAL WORKSHOP STUDY SESSION MEETING - November 15, 1990
A special joint Dublin Planning Commission & City Council workshop
study session meeting was held on Thursday, November 15, 1990, in the
Regional Meeting Room of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was
called to order at 7:05 p.m., by Mayor Moffatt.
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ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers Hegarty, Jeffery, Vonheeder and Mayor
Moffatt, and Planning Commissioner Springer. Cm. Snyder
arrived at.the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Planning Commissioner
Zika arrived at the meeting at 7:12 p.m., and Planning
Commissioner Burnham arrived at the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
ABSENT: Planning Commissioner Barnes.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Mayor led the Council, Staff and those present in the pledge of
allegiance to the flag.
EAST DUBLIN PLANNING WORKSHOP
Planning Consultant Brenda Gillarde explained the purpose of the
workshop and advised that we want to set a vision for East Dublin and
set some land uses down on a map. What is done, however, will not be
a final plan. There will be ample opportunities to discuss each
aspect further.
Ms. Gillarde explained that Dublin is at a very exciting point in its
history. There are 7,000 acres on which to make choices and there are
many trade offs which will have to be made. The plan will be subject
to change even after it is adopted, as this is part of the process A
certain amount of flexibility should be built in. This is the first
of 4 workshops which will be held.
Commissioner Zika requested copies of the County Agreement related to
the tax money split and which would indicate what restrictions are on
DUblin.
Planning Director Tong advised that there was an agreement that was
signed between Alameda County and the City of Dublin several years
ago. This agreement provided for a land use commitment in that the
City would continue the prezoning as business park industrial which
would allow for a business park type use on the County's property.
City Manager Ambrose advised that the agreement was forced upon the
City in that you cannot get an annexation approved by LAFCO unless the
City and County agree on a property tax split. Sales tax, property
tax, transient occupancy tax, etc., would have to be subvented to the
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Workshop, Study Session November 15, 1990
County. If the costs of services exceed 50% of the amount of revenue
generated, then the County and the City must negotiate for any
services above the 50% level.
The Council, Commission and members of the audience were asked to
discuss what they like about Dublin. Comments included: Central
location to the Bay Area; Uncluttered open space; Stream corridor
undeveloped, NE/NW Willow Creek; Concentration of business in area to
create market niche; Schoolyards and parks give recreation
opportunities to neighborhoods; People like to live here for
amenities-library; City close, country quiet; People own their own
homes; Street landscaping; Dublin pride - historic background;
Churches; Crossroads of stagecoach routes, crossroads of 1-580/I-680;
Maintain crossroads identity; Well balanced (has everything); Regional
transportation availability (potential for new center/core); Schools;
Been a first, set the pace; Interest in culture, new programs with
City and community base; Majority of needs met within 5-7 minutes of
town; Traffic circulation is adequate; Hills are not cluttered; Mix of
housing, multi-family blends in well; Schools are located within new
neighborhoods; Quiet, uncluttered character, good access; Availability
of nearby employment; Clean air; Safe City, good police services;
Crossroads of Valley, will be a commercial base again; Broad range of
housing price availability; In Alameda County; Most beautiful civic
center; Great library; Common vision of quality of community on the
grow; Amador Lakes is an example of Dublin's vision.
The Council, Commission and members of the audience were asked to
discUss what they would change or add to Dublin. Comments included:
No houses facing arterial streets; No trail system, complete and'
comprehensive hike/bike/equestrian facilities along trails; Additional
recreational facilities, golf emphasized, sports park, leisure parks
not connected to schools; 200 person theatre and community meeting
room; Designate land/fees in-lieu for park land, make formula fit
needs; Create central commercial area, pedestrian core (Horton Plaza -
Disneyland for shoppers); Big league identify to compete with
surrounding cities, high profile attraction to create identity; More
diversity in types/styles design of housing; Light rail or public
transit alternatives; Go up in building height to create identity and
attraction; Not too big; Do not ignore BART, especially around
stations; Downtown will change - meet that change; No irrigated lawns;
Creek development - better enhancement; Agency cooperation - part of
trail system; Soundwalls, anticipate and provide; Do not open up
existing creek areas; Parking pockets/shopping pockets, don't
replicate Village Parkway, hidden, poor access; No man-made barriers
in community; City more pedestrian and transit oriented; Parks for
leisure; Big multi-functional park, multi-functional cultural center,
large meeting hall; More moderate price housing; Parks adjacent to
schools; Improve school quality and location; Greater density to take
advantage of transportation nexus and to support commercial uses; High
end housing which pays its own way; Senior housing and facilities;
Uncrowded roads in future; Adequate tax-base to support vision,
develop better; Augment tax base through retail sales tax; Schools in
neighborhoods which are not a traffic hazard to children; Good ethnic
grocery store; Major/master landscaping plan and streetscape plan so
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Workshop, Study Session November 15, 1990
old and new Dublin are linked; Use creeks as Walkways/corridors within
town; Preserve wildlife on creeks; Alternative/better circulation
plan, specifically Doolan Canyon; Don't allow tilt-up construction
with isolated access, integrate into the community; Don't duplicate
Village Parkway; Strong economic base contributing to the community.
Commissioner Burnham felt it was important to keep in mind "something
for everyone" with regard to mixed housing. We need to go through
this process more often in order that we can learn by our mistakes.
Commissioner Zika stated he would like to get a housing balance based
on the jobs generated. He was mainly concerned regarding jobs that we
create here in Dublin. There should be housing for all income levels.
Cm. Snyder felt that with regard to affordable housing issues, it does
little good to look at the income levels of existing Dublin. We are
planning for the future.
Cm. Jeffery felt we have learned a lesson from neighboring communities
in that if you have too much architecture that looks the same, you end
up with "little boxes on the hillside". She would like to see some
character and coordinated neighborhoods. She would not like to see
more than 3 stories in height, but sometimes you have to make
compromises.
Cm. Vonheeder felt that the circulation issues were the main reason
that this area was not planned when we first incorporated. We now
have a wonderful opportunity to plan and we are trying to anticipate
the needs in the next 15 years. We will need' to make some
concessions, however, we still have people who want higher end homes.
Mayor Moffatt felt we certainly need diversified housing and higher
densities. We should designate the areas in which this can occur so
that 10 or 20 years down the road we will be able to put these in and
avoid the "not in my back yard" comments.
Cm. Hegarty stated that in 1982 when the City incorporated, we tried
to change and upgrade the image of Dublin. The money to pay for parks
and other amenities comes from retail sales tax. We must, therefore,
provide a good base for businesses to operate.
Ms. Willits summarized all the comments and clarified that what
everyone seemed to want with regard to housing is that all kinds of
housing should be provided in East Dublin. We need some of
everything.
Retail uses was discussed.
Commissioner Burnham felt that because we can't predict the future,
flexibility will be the key. It is convenient for people to shop in
Dublin.
Commissioner Springer felt that neighborhood shopping is needed. He
would like to see higher density uses, clustered around a town center.
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Workshop, Study Session November 15, 1990
Commissioner Zika felt that clustered neighborhood centers are
romantic, but that is not where California is now. He could see
limited neighborhood centers, but it would be a 7-11, Circle C, or
something like that.
Dave Burton stated he would like to see a commercial corridor
connecting East with West Dublin. Strip commercial or pocket
commercial needs to be addressed. He indicated he favored strip
commercial where you can drive up to a store and go in.
Cm. Jeffery stated she has very strong feelings about what downtown
Dublin should be. We should capitalize on what's successful for big
ticket items. She felt Dublin should avoid strip type businesses.
They do not service well other things we want to achieve, and are
difficult to maintain. One of the strong points of any business
district is that you have to go there and then you stop somewhere else
along the way. We should put as much business in as concentrated an
area as possible. You want a reason to pull people downtown, so most
of your shopping should be in this area. Whatever we create in our
business district is what we get. She indicated she was tired of
spending her clothing dollars outside of Dublin. We need to take
advantage of our location. We have the opportunity to grab them at
One end of the City and take them clear through to the other end.
Residential above stores does not work. However, it is very feasible
to put a concentration of housing next to a business area.
Mayor Moffatt felt that one of our biggest assets is 1-580.
Businesses that need large exposure for advertising should be able to
locate next to the freeway. Hotels, automobile dealerships, and large
commercial ventures should go right along this corridor. Small
retailers such as a grocery store and maybe 5 or so other service type
stores could go in a residential area. However, you must have enough
density to support these.
Cm. Snyder stated with regard to an auto mall, he supports the
concept, but we should not get too specific. We need to allow
flexibility that businesses can stay in an area where they want. Cm.
Snyder felt that 99% of what was being discussed is market driven.
Cm. Vonheeder discussed a newspaper editorial published in 1980
discussing Dublin's downtown identity problems. She felt this was an
opportunity and challenge for Dublin to change and improve existing
areas. BART will have a major impact on Dublin. We must have the
flexibility to connect to future uses. She indicated she did not
particularly want to change much of what we have, but reality is that
everything changes. We should use the freeway corridor to our
advantage. She felt the major challenge will be to connect the 2
areas.
Cm. Hegarty felt that downtown Dublin is well defined. We now should
have space to go out and market for large organizations. We need to
get into the mainstream of things and "go for it". There is no reason
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Workshop, Stud~ Session Nove~er ~5, ~990
Dublin has to lose what it has; we are planning for the year 2010. We
now have the opportunity to create the downtown that we want.
Ms. Willits summarized that everyone seemed to want a downtown area
with appropriate retail and residential around it. Retail
opportunities should not be excluded as most are market driven. With
regard to neighborhood services, those kinds of services that provide
immediate neighborhood needs should be considered.
Cm. Jeffery stated we need to capitalize on the niche that we have
already created for ourselves, plus capitalize on the freeway location
visibility.
Mayor Moffatt felt that, if necessary, more meetings should be
scheduled.
Mr. Ambrose pointed out that if more meetings than were anticipated
are held, a budget transfer of funds may be necessary.
Staff advised that even though they didn't get as far as was hoped for
on the agenda for this meeting, some very good information and
direction was provided. This workshop discussion will be continued on
the evening of December 6, 1990, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
- k f ~i~. Clerk
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Workshop, Stud~ Session Nove~er 15, 1990