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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-27-2001 PC MinutesA regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2001, in the Dublin Civic Center City Council Chambers. Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners, Johnson, Jennings, Musser, Nassar and Fasulkey; Eddie Peabody Jr., Community Development Director; Andy Byde, Associate Planner; and Maria Carrasco, Recording Secretary. PLEDGE OF ALLEG/ANCE TO THE FLAG Cm. Johnson led the Commission, Staff, and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The minutes from the January 23, 2001 meeting were approved as submitted. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGEIVDA - None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS- None IVRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARING 8.1 Continue the Public Hearing for PA 00-036 Tassajara Creek Phase II {Greenbriar Homes Communities, Inc.) Planned Development (PD) Rezone (Stage 2}, Vesting Tentative Map and Site Development Review to March 13, 2001. Cm. Johnson asked for the staff report. Planning Commission Regular Meeting 11 February 27, 2001 Mr. Peabody advised the Commission that Staff is requesting the hearing be continued to the March 13, 2001 Planning Commission meeting. Cm. Fasulkey made recommendation to continue the project, seconded by Cm. Jennings with a unanimous vote the Planning Commission continued PA 00-036 Tassajara Creek Phase II to March 13, 2001. 8.2 PA 00-034 Safeway Site Development Review and Conditional Use Permit to redevelop the existing Shamrock Ford with a new 55,256 square foot grocery store, 10,743 square foot of retail, and an 18-pump fuel station with kiosk. Mr. Byde explained that Staff is requesting the Planning Commission transfer their original review authority pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance to the City Council. The City Council has requested review authority over the project. Staff will provide the Commission with a thorough presentation of the project and the applicant is available to answer any questions. The proposed project consists of redeveloping the existing Shamrock Ford with a new 55,256 square foot grocery store, 10,743 square foot of retail, and an 18-pump fueling station with a 314 square foot kiosk. The proposed grocery store and fuel station would be open 24hours, 7 days a week and would be staffed by a maximum of 100 employees during a normal shift. 266 surface parking spaces are proposed on the property, 226 parking spaces are required. The project site is located at the north east corner of Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza. Currently the site is occupied by the Shamrock Ford service facility. The new and used car sales portion of the Shamrock Ford business relocated from this site to the former Autonation site approximately one-year ago. The project lies within the Downtown Core Specific Plan area with a Retail/Office designation. The proposed project will have two entrances along Dublin Boulevard. The easterly most entrance along Dublin Blvd. is intended to provide access for large truck deliveries to the rear of the grocery store. A planter island extends north, in-front of the fuel station, which is intended to discourage vehicles from using this entrance to access the fuel station. The center entrance along Dublin Blvd. is designed to be the main entrance to the grocery store. This entrance will provide an attractively landscaped entry with enhanced pavement treatment and colored sidewalks in front on the proposed grocery store and retail space. Immediately south of the vehicle entrance is an enhanced pedestrian access, which includes a small plaza area as well as a location for a public art piece. The intended circulation pattern for the fuel center is essentially in a clock-wise rotation. Vehicles will arrive at the center entrance point and be guided either, north to the grocery store, or east to the fuel center (appropriate striping patterns will be reviewed by the Depm:tment of Public Works) and exiting Dublin Boulevard. The center entrance along Dublin Blvd. contains a right-turn pocket, which will allow vehicles to pull out of the travel lane and slow appropriately for access in to the P[anntndJ commission 12 February 27t 2001 R~e~lar Meettn~ shopping center. Additionally, in the unlikely event that vehicles back up beyond the entrance, the turn-pocket would provide vehicle storage area, outside of the travel lane. The preliminary landscape plan shows new street trees along Dublin Blvd. and Amador Plaza Rd., additionally it shows planter islands and tree wells throughout the parking field. ,lust, south of the center entrance along Dublin Blvd, a heavily landscaped "plaza area" is shown along with an enhanced pedestrian connection to the front of the grocery store. Various planter pots will be used in front of the retail shops area. The proposed project is designed with two sets of towers along the grocery store frontage and a hierarchy of towers along the retail frontage. The design intent is more formal and traditional type of architecture, with an identifiable base, body, and cap. The retail buildings are articulated in such a way to give the appearance of separate buildings and to provide a rhythm. The buildings have been designed with a variety of elements to create visual interest including metal awnings, columns, aluminum grid windows, tile accents, stone and pedestrian oriented. Staff recommends the Planning Commission take testimony from the applicant and the public, question staff, applicant and public, close the public hearing and deliberate. Cm. Musser asked if Staff reviewed the area and will it accommodate an 18-wheeler. Mr. Byde stated there is approximately 40 feet of clear space. Cm. Musser asked how much of the building is visible from the Honda Dealership. Mr. Byde responded there is very little visibility. Cm. Musser asked if the exterior material was predominately stucco? Mr. Byde responded yes. Cm. Nassar asked how many delivery trucks would the space accommodate? Mr. Byde responded the space could accommodate 2 vehicles. Cm. Nassar asked where would additional trucks park? Mr. Byde indicated the location on the overhead. Cm. Nassar asked what makes the building design unique. Plannin~ Commission 13 February 27, 2001 P, edlular Meetin~ Mr. Byde stated the buildings are traditional architecture and are pedestrian oriented. Cm. Johnson asked if the roofline is similar to the Enea Plaza Shopping Center. Mr. Byde responded yes. Cm. Jennings stated she could not identify the parking space designated for the kiosk. Mr. Byde stated there isn't a parking space adjacent to the kiosk but one space is designated in the parking field. Cm Jennings asked if the space adjacent to the kiosk is a pull in space? Mr. Byde responded it could be used as a pull in space but the design intent was for a drive aisle. Cm. dennings asked if the delivery times would be staggered? Mr. Byde stated delivery times are typically in the a.m. hours. Cm. Nassar asked if there were any concerns about the noise level. Mr. Byde stated the noise level does not appear to be a problem because the elevation is higher. It would be more of a concern if it were a residential project. Cm. Johnson opened the public hearing Jeff Fergot, Design Manager for Safeway introduced the project team. He stated that they are excited about being in community. They have done the necessary asbestos and environmental Geotechnical reports. There are a few areas of contamination that will be cleaned up. They reviewed the traffic report and are in full agreement with the report. The Dublin Safeway will be their flagship store with a number of features and amenities. He thanked Staff and introduced Chris Long from SLS Associates. Chris Long, SLS Associates stated he would be brief since Mr. Byde did a good job in regards to describing the site plan. The project will bring a lot of people to the downtown area with the soft pedestrian components and strong pedestrian connections. Galin Grant, Craig and Grant Architects stated he was pleased to be there. He explained that they have worked with Staff and Mr. Cannon since November and have gone full circle from the orginal plans. He explained the architectural features for the project and concluded his presentation. Plannin,~ comratsston 14- February 27, 2001 Mr. Fergot stated that the fuel station is a key feature to their store. It's part of Safeway, and will have Safeway employees. They do not envision themselves as a Costco and do not plan to be the low price leader on gas. It will be architecturally compatible with the area and the kiosk will be a secondary pay point. The kiosk will have a Safeway employee, and provide sodas and candy but will not be set up as a convenience 'store. He explained that adding a fuel station is an effective and helpful use to the site. The fuel center will have the capacity for 30 cars and will be positioned away from the intersection. He thanked Staff for all their time and was available to answer any questions. Cm. Musser asked the size of the store and the amenities the store would offer. Mr. Fergot stated the size is approximately 55,000 sq.ft, with a full bakery, floral, produce, service seafood, deli, one-hour photo, and coffee bar. There is the potential for a drop off dry cleaning service. Cm. Musser asked how this store would compare to other Safeway stores. Mr. Fergot stated the site proposed for Dublin would be one of their largest stores. Cm. Musser asked if any of the retail shops have been leased out? Mr. Fergot responded not yet. Cm. Fasulkey asked what the awnings would be made of?. Mr. Fergot responded charcoal gray metal with a corrugated or seamed look. The awnings will look tasteful and sophisticated. Cm Fasulkey said Safeway owns the site and will have ongoing responsibilities of the retail units as well as the entire site. He asked where the dumpsters would be located. Mr. Fergot stated the dumpsters will be located in the north east portion of the retail shops and they will be behind closed doors. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the retail shops would have access to the dumpsters? Mr. Fergot responded yes. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the kiosk is dosed to the public. Mr. Fergot responded yes. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the store would provide a seating area near the deli? Planntn~ Coramiss[on 15 February 17, :ZOO1 Reffdar Meettndj Mr. Fergot responded yes, between the coffee area and deli area. There will also be outdoor seating close to Amador Plaza Road. Cm. Fasulkey asked if one of the retail shops becomes a dry cleaner would Safeway close off their dry cleaning service? Mr. Fergot responded no. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the fuel would be Safeway's brand? Mr. Fergot responded yes. Cm. Fasulkey asked if Safeway has identified potential public art locations. Mr. Fergot responded yes and identified the area on the site plan hanging on the wall. Cm. Fasulkey asked if Safeway is interested in participating on future art projects for the community? Mr. Fergot stated Safeway is willing to work on art projects. Cm. Nassar asked what is under the awnings? Mr. Fergot responded open truss awning system. Building articulates back and forth. Cm. Nassar asked what features make the site pedestrian friendly? Mr. Fergot stated the paving pattern of the ground, the landscaped pots, and the awnings. Cm. Nassar envisioned stained glass or display windows with ornate signs incorporated into the windows along the building frontage and below the awnings. Mr. Fergot stated they could look at signage to get a European promenade and more ornate signs. Cm. dennings asked if Safeway considered less gas pumps for the fuel station? Mr. Fergot responded a consultant that performed a market research for the site determined the number of pumps. Cm. dennings asked the potential retailers for the site. Plannin~ commission 16 Februanf 27, 2001 Redjular Moettnd~ Brandon Farrell stated they are working with local brokers. After approval of the project they will come up with a mix of tenants that do not conflict with Safeway's features. The quality of the project warrants high-end tenants. Cm. Johnson asked if front door delivery would be allowed. Mr. Fergot responded no. Cm. Johnson asked if delivery for the retail shops would be through their front door. Mr. Fergot said yes. Cm. Johnson asked if the retail shops would have back doors? Mr. Fergot said yes to get to the trash enclosure. Cm. Musser asked how much fuel is pumped per month? Mr. Farrell said Safeway couldn't disclose that information. Safeway does feel this is a good site for a fuel center and they expect a high volume of gas pumped per month. Cm. Musser asked what type of paving materials would be used for the pedestrian area. Mr. Grant responded colored concrete. The actual paving pattern will reflect the architecture. Cm. Musser asked if it would be brushed finish with a smooth edge. Mr. Grant responded yes. Cm. Musser asked if the window moldings were silver? Mr. Grant responded yes. Cm. Musser asked if the window moldings are the same materials as the awnings. Mr. Grant said it is not the same material. Cm. Musser was concerned with the awnings causing a glare. Mr. Grant stated the awnings would have a matte finish and would not cause glare. Cm. Musser asked where the dark green shown on the materials board would be used for the site? Pl~nui~ commission 17 February 27, 2001 Regular Meetinll Mr. Grant said the supporting device for the awnings will be dark green. Cm. Musser said he did not have any other questions. He complimented the project architecture and stated they have done excellent job. Cm. Johnson asked if there were any other questions; hearing none, he complimented their architecture and for maintaining a nice quality store. He asked for a motion. On motion by Cm. Musser, seconded by Cm. Jennings, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted RESOLUTION NO. 01-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TRANSFERING THE ORIGINAL HEARING JURISDICTION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR PA 00-034, SAFEWAY SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NEW' OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Peabody discussed the Planner's Institute scheduled for March 21st - 23rd. AJOUR~NT Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ATTESt: .. Community Development Director Re~ctfully submit~d, ~ // Planning Commis~r~ Chairperson PIannin,~ Commission 18 February 27, 2001 R.e~lar Meettn~