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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 19, 2012 Page 8 of 13 explore a solution to address Commissioner Rennie's concerns. Mr. James said that they're trying to activate West Juana Avenue, and it's worth exploring going farther in that direction. Commissioner Rennie said he's particularly concerned because as currently configured, the active edge of the project around the corner from East 14th Street ends quickly. A pedestrian going east on Juana from the corner would soon come to the utility area, a parking area and a less- than - attractive apartment complex. He said the Village Marketplace presents an opportunity to improve the feel of the downtown area as West Juana Avenue meets East 14th Street, and he'd like the project to take full advantage of that opportunity. Mr. James, noting that no one had made these observations about that frontage before, said it also might be possible to bring into play other small architectural elements to help activate that section. In response to Commissioner Dlugosh, Mr. James indicated that a restaurant would be adjacent to the plaza at the south end of the multi- tenant building, with the caf6 in the corner space at West Juana Avenue and East 14th Street. Fresh & Easy also will sell ready -to -eat food that customers may enjoy in the plaza. Further, the building design is such that the restaurants are expected to offer their guests the option to dine outdoors. Vice Chair Abero was concerned about the south elevation, plain except for some architectural features. She said the situation at the Safeway store in Washington Plaza is the same, with a blank wall along West Juana Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hays Street. She said she'd like the side of the market fronting Dolores Avenue to be more people - friendly. Mr. James said it's not a flat surface, but rather has movement between the different planes, shadow lines, trellis elements, green screens of vines and landscaping, clerestory windows and sconces for accent lighting. In addition, he said, they're working to integrate an art element. It hasn't fully taken shape yet, but they've talked about wall murals, or fixed podiums and wall- mounted elements that could be transferred in and out to showcase the works of local artists. In response to Vice Chair Abero's questions about sidewalk width on East 14th Street, Mr. James said it's 10 to l feet at the narrowest, but expands 2 to3 feet at pilasters near the strorefronts. With benches and trees at the curb, the pedestrian clearing will be at least 6 to7 feet wide. Vice Chair Abero noted the absence of grass or bioswale along the East 14th Street side. Mr. James said he expects potted plants to be up against the building plus the trees near the curb. Commissioner Rennie asked about the feasibility of outdoor dining considering the width of the sidewalk. Mr. James said that he expected the restaurants to set up outdoor tables and chairs in the back, but not along East 14th Street. That said, he continued, there may be an opportunity for one or two table settings in front, if it's allowed. Commissioner Rennie had comments about the East 14th Street frontage and the tower element. He appreciates the three - dimensional elements provided by pilasters and awnings, but said the East 14th Street facade is long and straight. He'd like to see it more inviting, pulling pedestrians into the buildings, whether through outdoor dining, an arch, or another transitional element. The tower looks nice on the drawing, Commissioner Rennie said, but pedestrians won't be able to appreciate it approaching from West Juana Avenue because it's pushed back into a pocket off the sidewalk. Further, he said, going through the arch doesn't lead anywhere; there's no door into something. He said he sees a missed opportunity with the tower as a pedestrian- focusing element. He said it might also function better if it were to pull pedestrians off the sidewalk to turn the corner into the plaza. At this time, Mr. James said, the City wouldn't allow the tower to go over the sidewalk, but the idea of providing an opportunity for more pedestrian interface is something to explore, possibly having the tower lead into tenant space, an art display, a fountain or other feature. Mr. James said