3B Public Hearing 2011 1121 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

• If conversion to condominiums comes about eventually, regulations regarding inclusionary [ownership] housing would apply. • The fence on the north side of the project would be installed in front of the Sandpiper's well- established fence and vegetation screen. Commissioner Rennie also reiterated a concern about security raised during a previous work session: the possibility of intrusion from the back of the project, where it abuts Trailer Haven. Because it could be a particular issue with tenants who cannot enter their units from their garage, he suggested installing conduit for closed- circuit video equipment to send surveillance videos to the community building. If this were done prior to construction, he said the developer could avoid the expense and disruption of having to tear up a street to install it after the fact. Another concern that Commissioner Rennie expressed pertains to the carriage house. Inasmuch as they would be built above three or four garages, he asked whether sound attenuation materials would be used between the floor of those units and the garages below to muffle the sounds. Senior Planner Barros said that she would defer those questions to the developer. Because Commissioner Rennie believes that the maintenance of the front of the project will be a critical element in attracting further development in the area, he said he'd like to see emphasis placed on maintenance in the conditions. Commissioner Rennie said that he didn't see anything identified on the site plan for stormwater retention. Senior Planner Barros said that the tentative map packet covers the stormwater issue, and the City's Engineering Department has reviewed it. The project would use a mechanical means to handle stormwater rather than bioswales. Mechanical or subterranean, Commissioner Rennie said, he'd like to know more about it. Chair Collier commented on the Sandpiper development's fence. She said that concrete -block fencing goes almost halfway back from Washington Avenue, where it changes to ivy- covered chain -link fencing. hi previous sessions, she said she raised concerns about wooden fencing because it requires so much maintenance and deteriorates with ivy breaking the wood apart. Chair Collier suggested that it would be better to invest from the start in set -in -place panels or a stucco or concrete -block wall. h1 reviewing the Vesting Tentative Map, Chair Collier said that she noticed on the last page that traffic would proceed on the right side only. Senior Planner Barros indicated that the route she described applies to fire trucks only, and that normal traffic would follow the regular traffic pattern. Matt Brooks, who lives at 4725 Thornton Avenue, Fremont and is the property owner, said he is happy to be back in San Leandro. His company has operations in five western states, he said, and although it typically serves as a developer for investors, the San Leandro project would fulfill a personal purpose. Because the medical office building on the site is 50 years old, he said, it will have to be replaced over the next 10 to 15 years because it's become functionally obsolete, not only physically but in terms of its residential environment. He agreed with Commissioner Fitzsimons' observations that in 15 years, the family ownership of the 12 buildings that he's planning now could change to include non - family members, but if anyone wanted to convert to condominium ownership, they would have to come back to the City for approval first not to mention it would be impractical. Mr. Brooks said that his intention is to build and maintain a quality environment. He indicated that since his company oversees approximately 5,000 residential rental units in Alameda County alone, they understand the business. He said that they have strict requirements that seem to work, including insurance for tenants in their residences and their use of the common facilities. The development will proceed gradually over a long period of time, Mr. Brooks explained, given the economic conditions and the fact that the company must comply with existing leases with current tenants of the medical office building.