4C Public Hearing 2014 0721 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 15, 2014 Page 4 of 9 Commissioner Hernandez asked about the history of Eden Roc Apartments’ security system. In reply, Planner Penaranda said Eden Roc is not a PD, so does not have PD requirements, and its gates there were installed prior to 2002, when the General Plan came out discouraging gated communities. Noting that Planner Penaranda and the staff report both suggested security cameras, increased lighting and a Neighborhood Watch program as alternatives to gating Floresta Gardens’ Washington Avenue access, Commissioner Hernandez requested elaboration. Planner Penaranda said those are typical recommendations under similar circumstances. He said he isn’t aware whether any of these alternatives came up in discussions with other staff relative to the Floresta Gardens proposal. Commissioner Hernandez asked whether raised buttons on the pavement at the beginning of Washington Avenue would slow or deter traffic from that entrance. Planner Penaranda said they could possibly remind drivers to obey the speed limit or alert them to the driveway, but we’d need more specific information from the City’s traffic engineer. Chair Abero invited the applicant to return to the microphone. Ms. Williams said the complex’s recent asphalt repaving project, which, added four new speed bumps to the five that were there already, hasn’t slowed speeding traffic. A speed limit sign is posted at the Washington Avenue entrance, with four 10- mph signs throughout the complex. The landscaping island in the Washington Avenue driveway also has a sign reading, “Private Road – No Throughway.” Addressing the issue of the Fremont Avenue gate, she said before they installed the wrought-iron gate, they were replacing the old swing-arm gate every few weeks because cars would drive right through it. Permitting was n’t a problem with that project, she said, because a gate had been in place already. Ms. Williams went on to say that exploring a front-gate solution 11 years ago, the HOA found it didn’t have enough funds in reserves and residents weren’t prepared to pay as it would have cost, $600 for each of 84 units. After nine years of growing its reserves, she said, the HOA is ready to move forward with the front gate. The recommended denial is disheartening, she said, because Floresta Gardens residents are contributing members of the San Leandro community. In regard to Neighborhood Watch, Ms. Williams said that many Floresta Gardens residents work full- time, are elderly, don’t speak English, or keep to themselves. She said she and other people keep their eyes out when they’re home, but it isn’t enough, especially with so many vehicles shortcutting from Washington Avenue to Fremont Avenue. She said a second-floor resident was burglarized through his front window while he was absent only 45 minutes. She said people come over the fence to access the pool, as do former residents who kept their keys to the pool gate, leave the gate open and invite friends over. She worries particularly because there’s no lifeguard, and the HOA would be liable if something were to happen. With mailboxes broken into four times since December 2013, they will discuss installing cameras in that area at the HOA Board meeting next week, but they can’t use cameras to stop the traffic or slow down speeding drivers, she said. Commissioner Hernandez asked whether the arrows on top of the gates would be necessary, and commented that it’s strange to see the fence abut the middle of a resident’s patio enclosure. Mr. Trask said the finials on the gate are cosmetic only and can be changed to soften the design, and the gate only abuts the patio wall but is not attached. He also said the gate can’t be set any deeper into the complex than proposed because that’s the widest point of the driveway to accommodate emergency vehicles. In response to a further question from Commissioner Hernandez, Ms. Williams said the residents of the unit with the patio have not commented on the proposed gate and fencing. Commissioner Leichner asked whether staff expects to propose any additional traffic-calming or security measures to the applicant, whether the proposal (if approved) would deprive the public of access to any public amenities, and whether anyone would be harmed by not being able to access Caliente Drive as a public road. Planner Penaranda answered “no” to all three questions. Commissioner Leung asked whether the Floresta Gardens HOA would have insurance on the gate operation. Harold George, who is from Walsh Property Management and is the property manager for the HOA, said it has general coverage and liability insurance that would include the fence and gate.