Minutes 2003 1215 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Page 4 City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-DECEMBER 151 2003 Mr. Horn noted that Option 1 was the option endorsed by the City Council Business Development Committee, while Option 2 was reconllllended by the Planning Commission. Mr. Horn acknowledged that while the CD District does not reflect what is commonly recognized as the downtown areal it is the zoning district that has been in place for nlany years. Councilmember Santos noted that he observed four fast food restaurants near the Hyatt Regency while working in the Financial District in San Francisco. He concurred with Ms. Finberg's comment that the Council needs to consider the quality, not just the size, of a business. Councilmelnber Santos expressed a preference for Option 2 as it does not automatically preclude any particular business. Councilmember Grant stated she can live with Option 2 because anytime a fast food restaurant wants to come to downtown San Leandro, it will need to go through some level of approval by one of the City's regulatory bodies. Mr. Horn commented that the consideration of a CUP is based on specific findings and that trying to make zoning distinctions using quality as a criterion will be very difficult and could subject the City to accusations of favoritism. Vice Mayor Glaze described a business that is less than 1,500 square feet and sells sandwichesl salads, juice drinks and coffee. He asked how such a business would be categorized. Mr. Horn stated there has been a lot of discussion regarding the distinction between a cafe and a fast food restaurant. Mr. Horn indicated there would need to be a deternlination if such a use canle to the City. Vice Mayor Glaze noted the restaurant he described is a Starbucks. Mr. Horn stated that while the distinctions are not clear-cut, the particular Starbucks described by the Vice Mayor would likely be considered a fast food restaurant and subj ect to a CUP. Councilmember Nardine stated she favors Option 2 as it allows for the application of a CUP for large-scale fast food restaurants so that the quality issues can be considered. Option 1 does not allow an avenue for approval of large-scale fast food restaurants. Councilmember Badger restated his preference for Option 2 and his concern that juice bars or coffeehouses may attempt to undermine the ordinance by serving fast food. City Manager J ermanis provided a summary of the options, noting the size of the business is the critical factor and that all restaurants under 1,500 square feet would be conditionally pennitted under either option. Mr. Horn described the review process for a CUP, noting a full set of plans is required. Mr. Horn suggested the Council consider from a policy standpoint how open the City will be to allowing large-scale fast food restaurants in the downtown area and whether they represent the quality retail establishments the City would like to attract. Mr. Horn addressed the concern expressed by Councilmember Badger regarding a juice bar or coffeehouse transitioning into a fast food restaurant, noting that when a retail establishment changes its use it would be subj ect to a CUP.