3A Public Hearing 2013 0204 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 20, 2012 Page 3 of 6 In response to another question from Commissioner Fitzsimons, Planner Penaranda said he didn’t believe Monarch Bay Golf Club, which operates both the Marina Golf Course and the Tony Lema Golf Course, has any concerns about the development. Commissioner Fitzsimons noted that the density proposed is important for San Leandro and it fits in the character of the neighborhood as well as nearby properties. He said Bay Area communities all need greater density if we want succeeding generations to be able to live here. Commissioner Hernandez asked why the developer chose a bocce ball court and whether the enclosed trash areas would accommodate garbage, recyclables and yard waste containers. Planner Penaranda said he’d defer to the applicant for an answer about the bocce ball court, and that the Planning Department would ensure that the trash area meet s requirements. Commissioner Rennie indicated that tenants might not need yard waste containers if landscaping is the landlord’s responsibility. Commissioner Hernandez asked whether adjacent parcels south of the subject site might be available to expand this project’s lot size. Planner Penaranda said he believes the owner of those properties has been approached, and they are not on the market. Commissioner Fitzsimons commented about the landscape architect’s Netafim irrigation method, which minimizes water usage. He said he would like the landscaping to be a s water- efficient as possible. In response to Commissioner Rennie, Planner Penaranda affirmed the owner’s intent to operate Aurora Cottages as rental units. Chair Collier, who said the property appears to be smaller than 56,000 square feet, pointed out that with 15 three-bedroom units plus a two-bedroom unit, the development could mean 32 to 40 children living there, with no room to play. She said there isn’t enough open space except for the front units, and there’s not enough community open space for a play structure or even a play area. While she likes the green space on the plans, she said it’s immediately adjacent to the dwelling units and there’s no common area for residents to gather. To address the problem, she suggested revising the plan to make the two back buildings single-family dwellings, or else eliminate one of the duplexes to create more community open space. In terms of traffic, Commissioner Collier said that Aurora Drive is narrow, and the development would add another 24 or so vehicles. With cars parked on both sides of the street, she said it would be difficult for drivers to pass each other going in opposite directions without one driver pulling over into a space out of the travel lanes. Commissioner Collier also questioned the use of the small open area for a bocce ball court. Commissioner Rennie noted that the garages are being counted for parking purposes, but the units appear to have very little storage space. For practical purposes, he said, residents would use the garages or even their back patios for storage because they have nowhere else to put things. Planner Penaranda said use of the garages for parking would be included in the conditions, and enforcement would have to be strict to ensure use of garages for parking. Relaying one of Commissioner Leichner’s questions, Secretary Liao asked whether the rear yards would consist of concrete patio slabs. Planner Penaranda replied yes. That’s what is shown on the site plan. In response to Chair Collier, he said permeable concrete pavers could be used in lieu of concrete slabs. In response to Commissioner Hernandez, Planner Penaranda pointed out the project’s 12 parking places would be restricted to guest parking.