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Parking Rationale Describe the rationale behind the amount of parking that will be available for the project, including: (1) the location of the automobile parking (on-site oroff-site), both within and beyond 500 feet of the library entrance; (2) local zoning requirements; (3) the availability of public transportation; (4) bicycle parking and bicycle and pedestrian paths; and (5) any other considerations impacting automobile parking requirements including, but not limited to, parking partnerships with shared use agreements. The existing Manor Community Branch Library has no dedicated public parking. The only staff parking is the two-car driveway that is a legacy of the building's status as a converted duplex. The new library facility will have 32 on-site parking spaces located on the west side of the site, immediately adjacent to the building. Local zoning requirements specify one parking space per 300 square feet of building, which is the guideline used to determine the number of parking spaces in this design. In addition, 30 parking spaces within 500 feet are currently available for off-site parking and will continue to be available. An important factor in the parking design is the mitigating factors of alternate modes of transportation used by library patrons. According to patron surveys and interviews conducted by the City as part of the needs assessment process, nearly half of the patrons of the Manor Branch walk to the library. Pedestrian access to the library is an easy walk from the parking lot. Pedestrians can also access the library by a path that leads directly from the sidewalk in front of the library to the main entrance. A secondary pedestrian path and north entrance is accessible during children's programs. The City's Bicycle Master Plan identifies both Farnsworth Street and Manor Boulevard as Class III bicycle routes. Both are utilized by bicyclists to access the Manor Branch. Parking for 18 bicycles is located on the west side of the building in the main entry plaza area. Pedestrian and bicycle paths are adequate to provide an alternative to the use of an automobile - a justification for not exceeding the locally-required number of parking spaces at the new library facility. Furthermore, Alameda County Transit bus service is available within 300 feet of the proposed facility, providing access to the facility from multiple bus ', stops located throughout the service area. The commercial establishments located near the library all have sufficient dedicated on-site parking to meet their needs; therefore, library patrons will be able to use off-site parking located along Manor Boulevard. In addition, peak hours for the library (after school hours) are generally different from the retail establishments located in the neighborhood. Visibility Describe how visible and prominent the public library building will be within the library service area. The Manor Community Branch Library is located in the center of the Washington Manor neighborhood. The library site is adjacent to the intersection of two collector streets, making the library visible to community residents as they enter or leave the community. The site is also part of a neighborhood commercial center consisting of a grocery store, bank, dry cleaner's shop, restaurants, and convenience store. The proximity of these services provides local residents a convenient "one-stop" location to meet everyday needs. The new branch library's distinctive design will ensure that the facility is the architectural centerpiece of the Washington Manor neighborhood. The design of the Manor Branch uses elements which will be in common with the renovation of the other branch libraries, drawing from a thematic design palette that distinctively identifies branch libraries as civic gathering places. While the site will be clearly marked with a sign outside the main entrance, the building itself will be identified as a library because of its very transparent facade. Passersby will see people doing "library" activities inside. Visibly located from the sidewalk, at the building entry, will be formal seating areas, portions of the adult collection, and a large periodical reading room. 13