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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 19, 2012 Page 7 of 13 complements some of the building sizes across the street. He noted that natural stones extend along the base on the East 14th Street fagade, with trellises, awnings and other shading devices to add interest, vitality and comfort as well as functionality among the storefronts. He added that thehe project incorporates storefronts on both sides of the multi- tenant building. The side that fronts the parking lot includes generous storefronts, with a variety of elements working in concert to activate the architecture — different canopy types and colors, different styles of cornice moldings and different roof hips and mansard features.With emphasis on seeing people and activity throughout the project, he pointed out the market's extended storefront and windows along the side. He also spoke of unique movements in the parapet, varying planes, accent metal treatments, green screens and natural stone finishes.He said the landscaping plays very much to the architecture and is a crucial component in making the Village Marketplace inviting. Mr. Gates, also indicating that outdoor specialty elements and the landscape palette comprise a significant part of the project's design, used "complete streets" standards, which is increasingly important to communities across the country because its goal is to achieve designs that are safe, comfortable, inviting, sustainable, functional and accessible to all. Making the street as pedestrian- friendly as possible, the design incorporates bulbouts that facilitate safe street crossing. The spacious plaza that Mr. James mentioned is what Mr. Gates called a pedestrian pocket or an outdoor room. With street trees and light fixtures to provide separation, this outdoor room invites pedestrians and bicyclists from the street, adjacent neighborhoods and the commercial corridor. With a paving pattern that gives it more a feel of place than a sense of sidewalk, the outdoor room is outfitted with tables and chairs, the fountain, specimen trees, shrubs and potted plants. Seatpads and the fountain will use the same stone material as what Mr. Gates used at the San Leandro Main Library when it was renovated. Mr. Gates considers the outdoor room a notable destination and visually appealing feature in the Village Marketplace's landscaping. Equally important, he said, is that the vitality goes all around, with generous plantings and small trees in the interior parking area and a surrounding screen of evergreens. Conforming to Bay - friendly landscaping standards — which Mr. Gates helped formulate — the entire project contains colorful, low- maintenance and drought - tolerant plantings. As Mr. Gates stated that this project achieves three crucial goals in terms of design: 1) economic sustainability via lower maintenance, less water and minimal use of materials; 2) social sustainability in creating a place that brings people together for interaction and fosters a sense of community; and 3) environmental sustainability in terms of plantings and water - quality initiatives. In response to Commissioner Hernandez, Mr. Gates said that in keeping with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) guidelines for complete streets, the street trees and grates, benches and other street furniture on East 14th Street are placed adjacent to the curb, leaving the space along the building for pedestrian use. As for guarding against children in the plaza darting into traffic, he said they would use the edge of the bus kiosk and low shrub plantings to create a barrier. Commissioner Rennie asked whether pedestrians are meant to walk through the bioswales. Mr. Gates responded that sedges and grasses will suggest "please don't walk on me," but the nature of the plantings isn't so fragile that pedestrian traffic would be a problem. In response to Commissioner Rennie's question about the electrical cabinets and trash receptacle on the West Juana Avenue side, Mr. James said studies and conversations with the tenant indicated that location as best - suited for access. The trash enclosure in particular would be convenient for a food - service facility. Nevertheless, he said it's feasible to work with the tenant to