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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 19, 2012 Page S of 13 corridor in the East Bay add up to a serious challenge to developing a project of that nature. It's also been a challenge in the San Leandro Crossings project directly across from the downtown BART station, he said. Considering those factors, Mr. Sims continued, it would be devastating to the downtown area, including its retail commerce and pedestrian traffic, to leave the project site in its current state for a period as long as 10 years. Commissioner Rennie said if we make the choice the approve the Village Marketplace now, he would appreciate a greater degree of confidence that the project will be successful, and that the mix of uses identified in the conditions brings in the quality of retail that the General Plan anticipates. He doesn't want a massage establishment on that site, for instance, and with a Planned Development, the City can pay more attention to the retail uses. He wants to be sure the uses attract people, bring synergies and contribute to sales tax revenues. Mr. Sims clarified that Other Uses, which include massage therapy, would require coming back to amend the Planned District. Not permitted outright by the action contemplated in this recommendation, they appear in these documents only because they are permitted uses under the current zoning (D- 1(S)). With respect to the quality of retailers, he said the City's Business Development staff attending the International Council of Shopping Centers' conference in Monterey reported that the Village Marketplace was the buzz around the conference. Retailers are looking for opportunities in downtown San Leandro, Mr. Sims continued, but some of the buildings downtown are "challenged," and the early- 1980s- vintage Pelton Center works well for some retailers but not for others. Judging from insights received from the shopping center industry, he said, San Leandro's changing demographics, increasing numbers of families, shopping and buying trends have combined to make the City a target for some time. The Village Marketplace is a project the retailers would find attractive, or that could serve as a magnet that might draw them to other properties nearby. Mr. Sims said he'd classify Peet's Coffee & Tea as a high -end retailer, and Fresh & Easy asa top -tier market. The Planned District approach recognizes the need to be as creative as possible with tenants and have an interesting tenant mix, balancing that against maintaining some control over tenant review without setting up barriers. Commissioner Hernandez asked how the parking area could ever be redeveloped unless the City retained ownership and leased it to the tenants. Mr. Sims said it would be very challenging for a developer to finance a project without that piece, because the bankers — as well as the retailers — want the parking area in the building owner's control. Mr. Sims emphasized that he doesn't want to give the impression that residential development in the parking area is likely in the near future, only that the site plan allows for the physical possibility of a podium -style development if and when the market could support it. Mr. Millenbah responded to several questions From Commissioner Hernandez: Why does a farmers' market appear among Other Uses? Answer: The list is based on existing uses in the DA -1 zone, but stressed that any of the listed uses would require a Planned District amendment. • From Commissioner Fitzsimons: Does the definition of fast foods in the Permitted Uses match that in the General Plan? Answer: Yes. From Commissioner Rennie: Are any trash enclosures located in the parking area? Answer: Yes, a large one near Fresh & Easy and another by Peet's. Commissioner Rennie noted that the electrical cabinets along West Juana Avenue would be better located facing the parking lot, so that the Juana frontage could be more vibrant, attractive and inviting, perhaps with another retailer that pulls people into the development. David Irmer, president of hlnisfree Ventures,