3A Public Hearing 2008 0107 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 13, 2007 Agenda No. 07-23 Page S of 8 Secretary Livermore replied that in that situation, they would need the conditional use permit for the dealership or used car lot, and if they already had that permit, it would have to be checked to see if it triggers a change in the conditional use permit application. It would depend on the individual circumstance. Secretary Livermore explained that the third item relates to cleaning up remnants of CD district scattered throughout the zoning code and requiring changes to reflect the elimination of that district and the addition of the DA-1 through DA-6 districts, to add minimum density requirements for mixed-use residential in the newly designated districts, and to clarify requirements pertaining to bicycle parking. Chair Reed asked whether there is an ordinance covering bicycle riding on sidewalks. Secretary Livermore responded that it would be a vehicle code issue, which would supersede the municipal code. Assistant City Attorney Stuart believes that to be the case but would have to check to verify. Chair Reed opened the public hearing. Douglas Percival, 2475 Harborview Drive, agrees that the term "finished grade" requires clarification and that the welded wire is unattractive. He suggested that perhaps the fence height should be a maximum of three feet, with anything higher triggering the fence modification request procedure if the material is anything other than glass. Noting that it was the situation on his property that prompted the review of this ordinance, he thanked the Planning Department and the Planning Commission for addressing it. Mr. Gallo said that he had questions about the TOD area, bicycles and parking. He asked whether any design standards have been imposed on new construction in the TOD area. He noted that it is a very congested area with a lot of traffic. He also is aware of public transportation issues and difficulty with funding. He said, too, that noise is a big problem, and explained that poor design and construction in projects elsewhere (including Emeryville and the Hunters Point area of San Francisco) have led to serious problems with residents being displaced and exposed to mold and asbestos. He is concerned about greenhouse gases and emissions and affordable housing, and also concerned that any shortcuts in design and construction methods that don't consider quality of life issues will make the TOD concept fail. He also noted that BART noise has been a longstanding problem, and although BART acknowledges the problem, there seems to have been no serious effort to address it -not only in San Leandro but all along the BART line. Design within the TOD area, he added, should include good sound insulation -doors, ceilings and HVAC systems. Even with good insulation, he said that people who open windows are exposed not only to noise but also to heavy particulate matter from diesel and delivery trucks. Thus, he said, HEPA filters should be included as part of the design environment. In addition, noting that some of the TOD projects will have street-level retail shops, he asked how deliveries would be made to these businesses, in light of already-congested streets. Finally, he raised the issue of how residents on upper floors are expected to take care of their bicycles at home, and asked if they will have to lug them up two flights of stairs. He proposed that safe ground-floor storage for bicycles be included in TOD project designs.