[1:47] Chair Price: This commission is called to order at 630.

[1:50] Would you call the roll?

[1:54] [Reading names]

[2:07] Would you please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance?

[2:14] [Reciting Pledge of Allegiance]

[2:38] At this time we have no cards that are brought forward clerk?

[2:46] Nothing on the comment cards?

[3:01] >> No comments.

[3:03] Chair Price: Thank you.

[3:09] So at this time we will have comments from the public.

[3:14] I have two cards that are submitted.

[3:16] You have three minutes to respond.

[3:18] I will call you up to the podium Here.

[3:23] Kathy Ashford is the first one to come up and make

[3:30] a presentation.

[3:41] >> I just don't think it's a good idea to have a liquor store

[3:43] next to a senior building.

[3:45] I don't think that alcohol should be sold there and brought

[3:53] on the premises and it's going to attract all kind of people

[3:58] and it's just for the safety and well-being for seniors

[4:01] that are living there.

[4:03] That's my take.

[4:08] I hope I'm presenting this properly.

[4:12] Because there's a lot of homeless people coming around

[4:17] and sleeping around there and doing all kinds of weird things.

[4:21] So I think alcohol being sold would be a nuisance.

[4:28] Is that it?

[4:33] Chair Price: When we have this come up on the agenda later

[4:37] would you like to come up and make comments about this?

[4:39] We will be -- this is for stuff not on the agenda.

[4:45] There are no other public comments

[4:48] on items that are not on the agenda.

[4:50] We will now move to The consent calendar.

[5:06] I would someone like to make a motion on the consent calendar?

[5:14] >> I will make a motion to approve the consent calendar.

[5:26] Chair Price: Please take the roll clerk.

[5:31] [Reading names]

[5:48] We now move to public hearings.

[5:50] The first one is on the library center.

[6:06] >> I think they're loading up the Powerpoint.

[6:14] Thank you.

[6:16] Good evening chair and commissioners.

[6:19] Next on the agenda is a design review

[6:23] for the proposed community center located at Main Street.

[6:29] Before I begin I just wanted to say how excited I

[6:33] am to present this project to you all not just on my behalf

[6:38] but on behalf of all the staff, the leadership

[6:41] team friends of the Oakley Library City Council past

[6:45] and present and residents who all envisioned this library

[6:51] and have taken part in the various steps along the way.

[6:55] As you know this is one of the biggest projects

[6:57] the city has taken part in in quite a long time.

[7:01] And we are all just excited about it.

[7:04] But with that being said I will start my Powerpoint.

[7:12] If the control works.

[7:23] Next slide please.

[7:26] So as you know the project site is here at our Civic Center

[7:32] site on Main Street.

[7:34] Next slide please.

[7:36] Surrounding uses include single family residences

[7:41] to the east and south and city Hall

[7:44] to the west and commercial shopping

[7:47] to the north of Main Street.

[7:49] This application is requesting approval of a variance

[7:54] for the proposed library and community center.

[7:58] Originally the proposed library was going to be a new single

[8:03] story approximately 13,000ft².

[8:06] And this library was meant to replace the existing

[8:10] library that shares a space with the library at Freedom High

[8:14] School.

[8:15] Some updated plans after publication of the notice

[8:19] of public hearing the project team in conjunction with city

[8:22] management agreed on a minor modification on square footage

[8:25] that reduced overall square footage of the project by adding

[8:29] approximately 500ft² of interior space and reducing the covered

[8:32] exterior space.

[8:34] The changes to the square footage of the library

[8:37] and community center would result in approximately 13,030

[8:40] square foot building which approximately is 12,000ft²

[8:44] for the building.

[8:47] A little over 1000ft² exterior space.

[8:53] The overall building design and layout

[8:57] does remain unchanged for Mac existing conditions at the site

[9:03] here as you see is relatively flat.

[9:07] There's a zone on the vacant parcel south heading up

[9:11] towards the property lines south to the residential properties.

[9:16] The site is developed with city park

[9:20] and associated improvements including the amphitheater stage

[9:23] area bathroom and parking and roadways.

[9:26] The site south to City Park is currently

[9:31] utilized as a staging area for city vehicles, vehicle parking

[9:36] for other equipment that we have and storage of other equipment.

[9:43] A little background as previously mentioned the Oakley

[9:47] Library shares approximately 3000ft² of space within the high

[9:53] school library and was originally intended

[9:56] as a temporary facility.

[9:59] The proposed facility is intended

[10:02] to serve as the new permanent library and community resource

[10:06] building for Oakley residents.

[10:08] This project will bring a highly anticipated building library

[10:12] to the heart of downtown Oakley.

[10:15] I won't go through the entire background

[10:19] as I previously mentioned since we became

[10:23] a city I think we have envisioned

[10:25] having our own library but most recently in 2023 efforts

[10:29] to have that library built and brought forth began.

[10:36] Many of the dates show meetings that staff

[10:41] has had with City Council common design

[10:45] and envisioning meetings with the public and other meetings

[10:51] to discuss financing and things of that sort.

[10:54] That ramped up in 2023.

[10:59] So what we have before you is we have a design review

[11:03] for the proposed library and community center

[11:05] which includes evaluation of the site parking and circulation

[11:10] landscaping and architectural design of the building

[11:14] itself an overall consistency with the downtown zoning

[11:18] standards.

[11:19] We also have a variance request for setback variances

[11:23] within the downtown core district

[11:25] which will help a better integrate

[11:28] the library with the surrounding facilities and public spaces.

[11:33] As I mentioned the design review which

[11:36] is required for new above ground buildings

[11:41] we have before you the design review

[11:45] helps the city ensure compliance with applicable standards

[11:49] established by the city's zoning ordinance.

[11:52] Through that design review we review

[11:56] consistency with our parking standards

[11:58] and landscaping and things of that sort as well.

[12:05] Here we have the proposed parking and landscaping layout.

[12:11] The parking layout is envisioned for the southern side

[12:19] of the building which will also tuck it in and bring

[12:22] the building forward in front of you.

[12:25] 45 spaces are proposed including Ada spaces.

[12:31] The site also has a variety of landscaping

[12:35] proposed which includes about 19 trees

[12:39] a mix of shrubs ground covers and other plantings.

[12:43] With those 19 trees we also achieve about a 50% shade

[12:48] coverage for the parking area.

[12:56] Here we see a rendering of what the building would potentially

[13:00] look like.

[13:02] The building is oriented with the primary entrance

[13:05] and Le frontage facing the Civic Center park

[13:09] area with Main Street beyond.

[13:11] The facility is designed as a functional community

[13:14] hub intended to replace the existing Oakley Library.

[13:18] New orientation of the building also

[13:20] helps it be visually prominent and welcoming to the public.

[13:26] The design incorporates articulated roof forms covered

[13:31] exterior areas and extensive glazing

[13:34] to support interest natural daylight and a connection

[13:37] between indoor and outdoor spaces.

[13:40] Exterior materials include metal siding metal roofing

[13:44] and aluminum frame doors and windows and storefront systems.

[13:48] Wood board is incorporated into the design

[13:51] to provide a break in materials.

[13:53] The building's architectural design and material palette

[13:56] are carefully selected to ensure long term

[13:59] durability easy maintenance and civic esthetic that

[14:03] reflects the Oakley community.

[14:06] This is an example of the metal siding proposed

[14:10] for the building and different lighting

[14:12] to provide how it would look at different times of the day

[14:15] or in the shade.

[14:19] As I previously mentioned we also have the variance request.

[14:23] The applicant is seeking variances

[14:25] for the front setback facing east

[14:28] towards the north cross lane.

[14:30] The side setbacks and city park and south towards the existing

[14:37] residential properties and then the rear setback

[14:39] to the west towards City Hall in order

[14:42] to allow for the proposed library to exceed the setback

[14:46] maximums in the Downtown Specific plan in order to create

[14:51] and enhanced library siting that allows minimal disruption

[14:54] to the existing facilities.

[14:56] To grant variance the Planning Commission

[14:59] must make three findings for approval which

[15:02] are outlined in the resolution.

[15:06] The project is exempt from environmental Quality Act

[15:12] pursuant to guideline section 15 in developments.

[15:18] As I previously mentioned draft findings for the designer

[15:22] and variance application can be found

[15:24] in the proposed resolution.

[15:26] As such staff recommends the Planning Commission

[15:29] approved the proposed resolution and variance as conditioned.

[15:36] I would also like to mention that the applicant team

[15:39] or design team is here with a brief presentation that

[15:44] will show some great pictures as well.

[15:46] Thank you.

[15:52] Chair Price: Any questions from the Commission?

[16:00] Commissioner Oliveros: I do have a quick question

[16:02] for the applicant if possible.

[16:04] The design is great.

[16:07] >> We will let them do the presentation.

[16:10] Commissioner Oliveros: I got ahead of myself.

[16:13] I'm too excited.

[16:18] >> Thank you very much for this opportunity.

[16:20] My name is Susie here with the project Architect

[16:24] and together we will walk you through some

[16:26] of the backstory on the design and how we got to this place

[16:31] in our design.

[16:32] This is always the test.

[16:36] Look at that.

[16:37] So part of our process is this gamma to listen and observe

[16:45] and then to design and we've had a great opportunity

[16:48] to do that with your community here.

[16:52] Our process so far has been organized

[16:57] into three phases so far gamma a validation phase which

[17:03] was programing, a concept design phase which was the concept

[17:06] and now we are in design development

[17:08] and that's the point at which we submit for the planning

[17:11] department preview.

[17:14] As a foundational step we began with the spatial programing that

[17:20] includes this great number of meetings you see there,

[17:24] many of them with the library and with city staff,

[17:28] 15 informational interviews where we talk

[17:31] to 26 people in the community.

[17:33] The concept design included all of those meetings there

[17:37] plus three community engagement sessions

[17:40] which were wonderful opportunities for us to hear

[17:43] directly from folks also.

[17:45] And then finally the design development we have done

[17:49] a number of meetings with the library and with the city staff

[17:52] and with our core team and the subsets of that including Parks

[17:58] and Rec, the IT folks, etc..

[18:01] So it's been a pretty inclusive process

[18:04] and it is based on that that we have developed this design

[18:08] starting with project goals.

[18:11] Fundamental project goal for this project

[18:13] that we heard from the community as well as many of you

[18:16] here in this room is that the library and community center

[18:19] should be a welcoming hub where residents of all ages

[18:23] and backgrounds can come together

[18:25] for enrichment and connection.

[18:28] This is a place that will serve as a centerpiece

[18:31] of your downtown Civic Center and it's

[18:34] designed to embody Oakley's family

[18:37] friendly and characteristic supporting collaborative feeling

[18:42] that you get when you visit and you are in this town.

[18:47] And supporting collaboration come

[18:49] a lifelong learning and smart development

[18:52] has been incorporated into our thinking

[18:56] complete with indoor outdoor connections?

[18:59] Cost efficient spatial organization,

[19:04] cost efficient construction methodology.

[19:07] Cost has been at the core of every decision we've made

[19:11] and all of this plus sustainability integrated

[19:15] into a design that's meant to capture the essence.

[19:24] With these goals as our foundation

[19:26] we then went into programing sessions with the city

[19:30] and library staff.

[19:31] We came to a 1200 zero square foot library

[19:34] over half of that is attributed to the library itself

[19:38] and the support spaces and the remainder

[19:41] is for shared community spaces like the large community room

[19:45] and dedicated city spaces also within the plan.

[19:49] So you can see those spaces that are to scale on the left

[19:56] and the spatial adjacency is what

[19:58] should be next to what is in the diagram on the right.

[20:02] We also had the opportunity to spend some time

[20:06] on your site looking and the park is obviously

[20:11] a huge asset to your community life and the city

[20:15] and it's already a great local public gathering

[20:18] space in its own right.

[20:21] We spent some time researching and taking consideration

[20:25] of the environmental factors.

[20:27] We learned things that you already

[20:29] know like it's hot in the summer here.

[20:33] Not so much in the Bay area we will say and it is foggy

[20:37] and chilly in the winter and this site

[20:40] offers this excellent orientation opportunity

[20:43] for north facing natural Daylit library spaces and community

[20:48] spaces and a south facing move for mounting

[20:55] arrays for electricity.

[20:57] We also map the site's critical landscape elements.

[21:02] You have some tremendous trees come on that beautiful oak

[21:07] heritage tree there on the Western side of the site come

[21:11] a vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns

[21:14] and these outlook opportunities from the library site itself

[21:18] all of which complement and work well together

[21:21] except for your existing bandshell and restroom building

[21:27] and we were delighted when we were given the green light

[21:30] by city staff and council to remove and replace those two

[21:35] components as part of this project which we think

[21:38] is great news for the project and for the park.

[21:41] In our analysis we also recognize the importance

[21:45] of that pedestrian connector that

[21:47] goes from City Hall and then the paths that

[21:51] go through the park towards the City Hall or Main Street

[21:56] all of which are very important.

[21:58] With input from the city staff we

[22:02] are proposing that the vehicular traffic be one way moving

[22:08] east to west to kind of cut off the tendency for people

[22:14] to use the shortcut through that parking lot that would be south

[22:19] of the library site making it more pedestrian

[22:23] friendly and safer.

[22:26] And we spent some time on your delta really

[22:30] taking that in and understanding what that's about

[22:33] and what that feels like as a way

[22:36] to figure out how we might incorporate

[22:38] the feeling of the delta into this library design which

[22:42] takes us to design.

[22:43] This is a plan you have seen and you're probably

[22:47] familiar with now as mentioned the design approach is

[22:51] to place that new building tight towards that central walkway

[22:57] as we've been calling it and with a grand porch

[23:02] that looks out towards the central pavilion which

[23:06] now sweeps across this design instead of being a three

[23:11] quarter or two thirds it is now a full half circle

[23:15] that sweeps across the northern side of the park opening

[23:19] that up for your wonderful special Friday

[23:23] night and weekend events you have on this site.

[23:26] In the building itself gamma the shared spaces for the city

[23:31] and city spaces are on the left in blue

[23:34] and the library public spaces are in orange with the library

[23:39] operations in that pink band that's on the bottom

[23:42] and you can see the parking lot in that plan.

[23:48] So the approach we adopted for bringing the delta in

[23:54] was the sense you get when you're on the delta

[23:56] there's the open water and then there's

[23:59] that wonderful magical transition between the Delta's

[24:03] edge and solid ground.

[24:05] We brought that thinking into the site plan.

[24:15] Our approach here is the amphitheater

[24:20] if you will is open water and that

[24:23] transitions through this rich variety of spaces which

[24:26] is the pavilion gamma Delta inspired landscaping

[24:31] that big grand front porch and into the reading

[24:34] room with these glorious north facing windows

[24:37] and there's that south facing roof

[24:40] that you can now generate electricity

[24:43] for this all electric project.

[24:48] And here is the rendering you've seen before.

[24:54] The library is on the left side and the community room

[24:59] is on the left side and the pavilion is right in the middle

[25:03] and behind that is the main porch and the entry

[25:07] into the library, one of the two entries into the library.

[25:13] And here is the site plan.

[25:18] Chris will talk about the floor plan here in a minute

[25:20] but you can see there's the reconfigured amphitheater,

[25:23] the pavilion right there pushing out into the amphitheater

[25:28] zone, the rich landscaping on either side of the walkway that

[25:33] takes you to the porch and takes you into the lobby and community

[25:40] center rooms.

[25:42] With that I will let Chris walk us through the plan.

[26:00] >> I know we are limited at times so I will cover this

[26:02] at a bit of a high level.

[26:04] We have our shared entry hall in yellow

[26:06] which allows access for the building from both park

[26:09] side to the north and also the parking lot side to the south

[26:13] which puts you in that same central hall

[26:15] and then everything is accessed off of that.

[26:18] As you mentioned you have the library programing

[26:21] on the right which is in red.

[26:24] Specifically located the adults teens and children's area

[26:28] against that northern side which is

[26:31] right against the large windows that face the park's

[26:34] so you can see what else the community is doing

[26:38] and also get views of the great greenery and surrounds.

[26:43] Similarly on the left hand side of the plan

[26:45] we have community spaces in city spaces and the main program

[26:50] being that community room that similarly

[26:52] is right against the north side double doors that open out

[26:57] to the patio so it kind of enhances this connection as

[27:01] much as possible.

[27:03] I just want to bring up a few changes

[27:07] we made since the community outreach sessions.

[27:10] We heard a few different things which we have tried

[27:13] to incorporate into the plan.

[27:15] One was is there any way we can make the library any bigger

[27:19] given the limited scope and budget and we were able to push

[27:23] the glass wall just about eight feet which got us that 500ft²

[27:30] behind us and the library is super excited about that and we

[27:34] are excited to just give that little bit of generosity

[27:37] into the plan.

[27:37] We also heard a lot of feedback about making that area bigger.

[27:46] So we have reworked the Bookstacks a little bit

[27:49] to provide more seating for the teens

[27:51] and also provide some seating with the stacks

[27:54] next to it that can serve as a overflow.

[28:00] In the children's area we heard a bit about wanting sensory play

[28:04] and rotary has donated panels that we

[28:08] will go into that section.

[28:11] And then lastly we heard comments about the exterior

[28:15] bathrooms where those are best located

[28:17] and we have moved those to the southeast corner of the building

[28:21] with a path directly to the playground area which

[28:25] was a big concern for parents.

[28:30] Here is just a taste of -- these aren't fully developed but gives

[28:35] you an idea of the spaces in the community room.

[28:39] It will have an exposed wood structure

[28:40] to provide warmth inside alongside a wood

[28:43] ceiling and those full height windows

[28:47] on two sides of the community room to the greenery beyond.

[28:52] This is looking from the adult section, the adult seating

[28:58] area along the glass wall and then the covered porch

[29:01] as well both defined by a slightly lower roof that

[29:05] is a more human scale next to the grander scale.

[29:14] And then the kids area similarly is against that large glass wall

[29:20] so you can get a good sense of daylight and view to the outside

[29:24] then there's the sensory panels.

[29:29] For exterior materials durability and low maintenance

[29:38] and affordability we're kind of the main drivers here

[29:43] so we're choosing a metal siding that does that.

[29:51] A big generous roof that provides

[29:55] shade and then again indoor outdoor connection.

[30:00] We talked about this a little bit.

[30:04] This is just another photo of the exterior materials

[30:08] we are proposing.

[30:10] It's a pretty neutral palette that

[30:12] allows plants surrounding it to really take the forefront

[30:15] and have their shadows get cast against this more

[30:19] neutral palette.

[30:20] In the middle siding there is the main siding

[30:23] that goes towards the park and has a slight pattern that

[30:26] captures the light and also reflects

[30:28] a little bit of the surrounding nature similar to the water

[30:32] in the Delta which is kind of a reflection back.

[30:40] So here is what we are calling the Paseo which

[30:45] is a path from North Cross to City Hall.

[30:48] You can see the dome in the background.

[30:49] You can see the rich variety of small intimate seating

[30:54] areas and larger seating areas beyond the plant palette that

[30:59] references the Delta, reedy plants and grasses and then

[31:04] trees and large overhangs for shade.

[31:06] This is an image of the new pavilion which

[31:11] serves the functions you guys had before for performances

[31:15] and movies, concerts but it also adds this other level

[31:20] of programing where it can be for picnics or small gatherings.

[31:24] An event on Saturday so it opens up

[31:28] new possibilities for the park.

[31:31] And finally just an overview aerial of the park

[31:36] with the new library.

[31:38] So thank you all and I'm ready to take any questions.

[31:49] >> Thank you.

[31:51] >> Any questions for the applicant?

[31:57] Commissioner Oliveros: First and foremost thank you very much.

[32:00] I am very excited about this and I

[32:02] did attend one of the planning sessions

[32:04] so as I was hearing your feedback I said good

[32:07] that they are adding this.

[32:09] I think what makes anything successful is that you get input

[32:12] from the community to make sure that it benefits it.

[32:15] And also that it's aligned with our mission and vision which

[32:19] it truly is.

[32:20] One question I did have on the design

[32:24] were two questions I know this is just a sample

[32:29] but just to confirm this park will

[32:31] be staying the same correct?

[32:41] >> I'll answer that.

[32:42] So you're talking about the playground portion?

[32:49] >> My second question is one of the feedback that I did have

[32:53] and it is for the pavilion area where it will be performing is

[33:01] it incorporating the sound and lighting already?

[33:05] Because it's currently set up now at night time

[33:08] we have a very hard time listening to the sound and

[33:12] or the lighting.

[33:14] When it's start time we can't really

[33:16] see what's going on on the stage so I

[33:18] know that's something that was asked in the feedback session

[33:21] so I don't know if that was reconsidered or considered.

[33:28] >> I don't know if that building gets into this amount of detail

[33:32] but definitely some feedback we'd be happy to take back

[33:35] to the city management and I'm sure those are elements that

[33:39] they are talking about when we rebuild that amphitheater.

[33:44] Commissioner Oliveros: That was it for me.

[33:47] Thank you.

[33:50] Chair Price: No other questions?

[33:51] I will now close the public hearing for deliberation.

[33:54] Would any commissioner like to make a motion?

[34:10] [Reading names]

[34:23] The motion passes.

[34:30] Chair Price: We are now moving to item 4.2.

[34:55] >> Thank you.

[34:56] The next item on tonight's agenda

[34:57] is the main street liquor use permit.

[35:02] The property is located south of Main Street with the Oakley Town

[35:07] Center to the west and the Edgewood Drive to the east.

[35:11] Here is a map that shows the surrounding neighborhood

[35:22] in the area where the supermarket grocery

[35:25] store will be located.

[35:27] A little background the parcel currently consists

[35:34] of a three story 130 unit age restricted and affordable

[35:39] senior apartment complex with a one story 5667

[35:44] square foot commercial space that fronts Main Street.

[35:48] The General Plan designation is commercial

[35:52] and zoning is general commercial as well.

[35:55] The property is surrounded by residential and commercial uses

[35:59] and the grocery store supermarket proposes to operate

[36:05] from 7:30 a.m.

[36:06] To 10 p.m.

[36:07] Seven days a week.

[36:09] The applicant is requesting approval of a use permit

[36:14] to sell distilled spirits alongside other grocery store

[36:17] slash supermarket offerings including

[36:20] fruits vegetables and snacks.

[36:23] No physical changes are proposed for the exterior of this site

[36:28] or a change in product inventory.

[36:31] The distilled spirits would be located

[36:34] within an approximately eight by ten foot shelf

[36:37] space behind the secure customer service counter only accessible

[36:41] to an employee.

[36:43] Why do we have a conditional use permit?

[36:52] They sell those spirits for off site consumption

[36:54] have been interpreted as liquor stores

[36:57] under the Oakley Municipal Code and pursuant to that code

[36:59] section require a conditional use permit

[37:01] to establish this use.

[37:04] The proposed project conforms to the required findings

[37:08] for approval in the Oakland Municipal Code

[37:10] partly due to its limited scope and permitted

[37:13] use of the supermarket grocery store.

[37:18] The required findings for conditional use permits

[37:21] are primarily concerned with ensuring quality site

[37:24] development when a new business is constructed

[37:27] and that the adjacent infrastructure

[37:28] is able to accommodate the new land use.

[37:33] The small size of the shelf space dedicated to the distilled

[37:37] spirits helps address the concern expressed

[37:40] within the municipal code.

[37:41] Furthermore the applicant would integrate the new use

[37:46] into broader displays within the grocery store.

[37:51] With liquor purchases occurring at the point of sale

[37:55] counter like other items.

[38:00] The project is categorically exempt from the requirements

[38:05] pursuant to section 15 301 existing facilities.

[38:09] And staff is recommending the Planning Commission adopt

[38:13] the resolution approving 2603 Main Street Liquor 2026-001

[38:19] as commissioned.

[38:22] Thank you.

[38:35] Chair Price: Any questions from the Planning Commission?

[38:42] >> I have a couple of questions but I recommend we have that

[38:45] members of the public feedback on this.

[38:53] Chair Price: Are there any comments

[38:55] from the applicant that would like to come forward and speak

[39:00] to this?

[39:08] >> The applicant is here but I don't think they have a full

[39:10] presentation.

[39:11] They're just here if there are any questions by the Commission.

[39:15] Thank you.

[39:19] Chair Price: This time I have two public comment

[39:21] cards of people who would like to speak

[39:23] and the first one is Kathy Ashford.

[39:38] >> Again I will say that I think alcohol would be a nuisance

[39:43] for seniors and could attract who knows what type

[39:51] of environment is going to be coming and I'm not trying

[39:53] to have a biased attitude but I just don't think it's a good

[39:56] place for seniors.

[39:58] We try to live a quiet life and I

[40:03] think it would probably draw a lot of different kind of people

[40:06] especially with alcohol on Friday nights seven days a week.

[40:16] So the same response I said earlier

[40:19] that I think it would be a nuisance.

[40:22] Thank you.

[40:29] Chair Price: We have one other public comment Lynda Carter.

[40:40] >> Good evening.

[40:41] I didn't know I would be talking either.

[40:43] I just wanted to reiterate what my predecessor said

[40:46] about the fact that with the people that

[40:49] moved in there have moved in there for it

[40:51] to be a quiet place to relax and at a certain time of the evening

[40:56] it's quiet and there isn't a lot of traffic or noise

[40:59] and especially the people that live on the north

[41:01] side of the building it's going to face the parking lot.

[41:05] These are the people that are coming into this

[41:08] are going to be going through.

[41:09] It's just not something --

[41:11] I know we signed a paper knowing something commercial

[41:14] would go into that area but I don't

[41:16] know that anybody realizes this is

[41:18] what was going to go in there so I just want to again state

[41:21] that I wish they wouldn't be selling alcohol just

[41:24] for the sake of the people that live there

[41:27] and the peace of the community currently

[41:29] for it to not be disturbed.

[41:31] Thank you.

[41:37] Chair Price: Thank you.

[41:38] I will now close the public hearing for deliberation.

[41:40] Are there any comments from the commissioners?

[41:56] Commissioner Ireland: I had a lot of questions.

[41:58] I was concerned about the effect so I

[42:00] do have a few questions in my main concern

[42:03] is about any kind of guardrails in place here.

[42:05] Reading through the resolution it

[42:07] seems like if there was a problem

[42:09] there is an allowance for withdrawal

[42:10] so without getting too granular I

[42:12] think I'd like to better understand what that looks

[42:14] like if there is a problem.

[42:16] It looks like the period goes through a one year period

[42:19] and then there is some kind of renewal process.

[42:22] Is that automatic and someone would

[42:24] have to step in to withdraw it or what does that look like

[42:28] as far as renewal of this?

[42:35] >> The use permit would grant the sale of the distilled

[42:38] spirits .

[42:41] The grocery store supermarket is a permitted use.

[42:45] They are able to sell beer and wine

[42:49] without the requirement of a use permit

[42:52] as the presentation mentioned.

[42:56] It is the sale of distilled spirits

[42:59] for off site consumption that triggers

[43:02] that use permit requirement.

[43:06] The resolution as you've mentioned

[43:08] does have those built in triggers

[43:10] that if it does become a nuisance the Community

[43:13] Development director along with the police chief

[43:15] can revoke that permit or if it does become a nuisance then

[43:23] they can speak to that a little bit more at.

[43:31] >> So condition of approval number seven I believe

[43:33] you're referring to.

[43:34] It was written in a way to provide

[43:38] city staff with a bit of flexibility

[43:41] if there's minor inconveniences that could be potentially

[43:45] addressed by the police chief and or community development

[43:48] director and we could implement those on the business.

[43:51] If there was a more egregious offense or a bigger nuisance

[43:56] we always have the opportunity to bring the item back

[44:00] to the Planning Commission for reconsideration.

[44:02] That reconsideration can include anything from modification

[44:06] to conditions of approval such as the hours of operation,

[44:10] the size of the shelf space, and even revocation of the use

[44:15] permit which would remove their ability

[44:17] to sell the distilled spirits.

[44:18] So all of those options are on the table in the resolution as

[44:23] presented tonight.

[44:26] Commissioner Ireland: So if this does turn out

[44:28] to be an issue if yourself the community development director

[44:32] or city police feel like there's a problem we

[44:34] do have an opportunity to come back from this come on not just

[44:37] once we say yes it's going to be a thing in perpetuity.

[44:42] >> Absolutely true.

[44:45] Commissioner Ireland: That's my main concern in.

[44:47] And we have a couple of public comments tonight

[44:49] and I don't know if this is appropriate but were there

[44:52] any other comments you were seeing

[44:54] from any members of that community or anyone

[44:56] around about this that had called the planning

[45:00] department as questions or anything like that?

[45:04] >> I did not receive any.

[45:12] >> Okay.

[45:43] >> Just to quickly clarify for the commission if you want

[45:45] to receive additional public testimony you would need to move

[45:48] to reopen the public hearing.

[45:51] >> I could pause my time if we want to open up public comment.

[46:01] Commissioner Ireland: If you can fill up a card

[46:03] you can come up and make a comment if you'd like.

[46:11] And we are happy to wait.

[46:14] We can take our time.

[46:15] I would greatly appreciate that.

[46:19] Chair Price: We will reopen the public hearing

[46:23] and address these comments coming forward.

[46:45] >> Thank you.

[46:47] We are all very old seniors.

[46:51] Sickly and can't hardly get around

[46:53] so the alcohol is a problem but the problem

[46:58] is security and the parking, the way

[47:04] the cars are going to come in.

[47:06] So that's the problem we are having and we

[47:11] know that they sell alcohol right up the hill

[47:15] and there's another place.

[47:17] Why do we have to sell it next door to us?

[47:22] When we become seniors, we wanted

[47:25] to get away from that kind of stuff not add to it.

[47:31] So we moved that to have a resting place, not a place

[47:36] where there's going to be lots of noise and lots

[47:40] of people acting stupid because they are drinking alcohol.

[47:46] Can you understand?

[47:52] You don't want all of that.

[47:56] So I'm asking you all tonight to consider what you're doing

[48:01] and think about how you want your life to be when

[48:05] you get to be as old as we are.

[48:08] Thank you.

[48:19] Chair Price: That is all the public comment.

[48:21] Did we have any other cards that were turned in?

[48:25] >> No other comment cards.

[49:06] Chair Price: Next, Ava Jackson please.

[49:09] That was the one that was -- all right.

[49:22] Rosetta Samson?

[49:38] >> I live in the apartments there at 2605 Main Street.

[49:45] I've been there for four years and the way

[49:51] they have the parking is to the side of the store

[49:56] and there's a gate there that we come out

[49:59] of and it's going to be very congested

[50:03] and the way we go in which is wrong,

[50:08] there are two entrances when we are coming from lucky shopping

[50:12] center we turn into the first one and we go around to the left

[50:18] and go in.

[50:19] Then when we come out all the way around we go out on the same

[50:25] one --

[50:26] on a different one.

[50:28] And it should be reversed because when we go in,

[50:32] we go to the right and it's the first one we go in

[50:36] and the ones coming out are going to be in front of us.

[50:41] And another thing there has been a lot of riff Raff

[50:44] there that try to come in some of the people that

[50:48] live there have their friends or whatever

[50:51] and there's a lot of different people.

[50:55] They will sleep on the bench outside and all of this stuff

[50:59] and have liquor there I don't think

[51:02] so unless they have a security guard

[51:05] because it is going to be terrible

[51:08] and that's not where I want to be.

[51:12] We waited for this place before COVID to open

[51:17] and I just wish no liquor.

[51:21] They can go to Lucky's and get their liquor.

[51:32] I said security.

[51:34] Of the store is going to be open that late they

[51:37] need to have security.

[51:41] Thank you.

[51:56] Chair Price: Looking for a comment

[51:58] from one of the commissioners?

[52:09] Commissioner Ireland: The only other question I had here

[52:11] and I did send this ahead of time just

[52:14] to make sure his advertising.

[52:15] If this is passed it is limited to essentially a cabinet is

[52:20] what it looks like and the display needs

[52:22] to be kept in that area.

[52:25] It sounds like there is already a city municipal code

[52:29] about advertising signage outside that if this is approved

[52:33] it would not be permitted for them to put

[52:36] large signs on the exterior of the building

[52:39] or anything like that.

[52:41] >> They would still be subject to our sign ordinance and any

[52:44] other requirements therein.

[52:48] Commissioner Ireland: I'm not super familiar with the sign

[52:51] limits so perhaps I should have read it before the meeting.

[52:53] That would preclude advertisements

[52:55] for distilled spirits like this?

[53:01] >> Generally we don't permit large advertisements of beer

[53:03] and things like that.

[53:11] Trying to think of what sign you may have in mind.

[53:19] Commissioner Ireland: Excuse the hyperbole

[53:21] but a giant sign that says buy tequila in here.

[53:24] It seems like the scope of this is intended to be small

[53:27] and my one concern is always is guardrails with what you don't

[53:31] think about that could happen and it

[53:32] seems like we have a way to claw it back

[53:36] but I'm concerned about what slips through the cracks given

[53:39] the nature of where this is going to be which again I

[53:42] have some concerns about.

[53:47] >> Understood.

[53:48] Any indoor signage we don't necessarily

[53:51] look at but windows signage common

[53:58] signage they may think of having on the exterior would all

[54:02] be reviewed or we would look at in our limited

[54:06] by the sign ordinance.

[54:14] Vice Chair Harvey: Is this the same location that our police

[54:16] department went in and evaluated and looked at how small it was

[54:21] going to be and they didn't really think that there would be

[54:24] -- >> Typically as part of our review process we route plans

[54:29] out to public use to review.

[54:32] There weren't any adherent concerns

[54:35] with their proposal for a secure area

[54:41] where cabinet behind the counter that would be similar to other

[54:49] previously approved distilled spirit use permits.

[55:02] Commissioner Goudie: The public concern

[55:03] is about a lot of the double dashes

[55:06] there a way that we can fix something

[55:08] because the store isn't even open yet

[55:10] so they're going to experience this without the liquor.

[55:15] >> Is part of the use permit that is not proposed to change

[55:21] the site circulation parking come a number of parking stalls

[55:27] it was all previously reviewed in around 2019 when the overall

[55:32] project was reviewed it was more in depth formal review of that

[55:38] was conducted then which at that point the commercial aspect

[55:44] of the project was also reviewed but again that was back in 2019

[55:51] the original project.

[56:03] Commissioner Goudie: Would that On the property owner

[56:05] if they decided for a security guard or something like that?

[56:09] >> The security guard component I don't know if that would

[56:12] necessarily be a condition we can impose .

[56:20] A supermarket or grocery store .

[56:29] >> I can chime in a bit.

[56:30] It would be a unique condition.

[56:32] I will say that.

[56:33] We have several of these similar types

[56:36] of use permits for convenience stores mostly

[56:38] and the liquor store is a bit misleading.

[56:42] When people think liquor store they

[56:44] think a store that is predominantly selling liquor.

[56:47] This is a small -- relatively small area to hold the distilled

[56:55] spirits so the conditional use permit being presented tonight

[57:00] limits how large of an area they can store and display liquor

[57:06] and it's approximately ten foot by eight foot area behind

[57:10] the counter so this is not going to be similar to a store where

[57:14] you may walk in and have shelves of liquor available

[57:17] for the public to grab and take up to the counter.

[57:21] This would require someone that wanted to purchase the distilled

[57:25] spirits to go up to the counter and ask for the clerk

[57:28] to provide them and sell them that specific bottle

[57:32] or whatever they may be purchasing.

[57:34] Security has not been something in my memory

[57:39] at least that we have required for this type of use.

[57:43] I think if we were at a point where the issues were such

[57:47] that security was required we would definitely

[57:51] be questioning whether the conditional use permit could

[57:55] be approved.

[57:56] I don't know if we have a reason to believe that.

[58:00] I understand many of the concerns

[58:02] and I definitely understand where those are coming from.

[58:05] At this point we have not heard from our police department

[58:11] of any issues with any of the other recent ones

[58:13] to have very limited sales and this one is similar to that.

[58:22] I would say just looking at the other approvals we have not

[58:27] seen such issues reoccurring.

[58:33] Staff we can provide this input.

[58:36] The applicant is here.

[58:38] I would encourage the commission to ask them what their plans are

[58:42] and what plans they have in place to try

[58:44] to minimize loitering or people that may be breaking the rules.

[58:48] This is not for on site consumption.

[58:51] This is for off site consumption.

[58:54] You purchase it and take it home.

[58:57] So that would be my recommendation

[58:59] is to allow the applicant to come up and address

[59:02] some of these and staff will continue to try to address them.

[59:08] >> If the applicant is willing I think we could ask

[59:10] if they're willing to address any of these concerns about

[59:13] on site consumption and security issues that have been brought up

[59:16] because it's a delicate situation.

[59:20] Commissioner Oliveros: Just to confirm only beer and wine is

[59:24] going to be sold there?

[59:36] >> Good evening everybody.

[59:37] So with regards to the signs it was stipulated by the landlord

[59:49] that we cannot have any outside signs so besides our normal

[59:55] business signage that's it.

[59:57] We are not going to say we sell this or that.

[1:00:00] Is just going to be our name of the store and that's it.

[1:00:05] That's regarding the sign.

[1:00:09] With regards to parking or entrance

[1:00:15] we each have our own entrance.

[1:00:19] So the seniors come to their residential space

[1:00:23] or whatever you want to call it they have their private interest

[1:00:25] and we have our own private entrance

[1:00:28] but with regards to the exit it is one exit so we share an exit.

[1:00:35] However it is spaced well and anybody

[1:00:38] that has a driver's license should be

[1:00:40] able to exit without a problem.

[1:00:43] With regards to -- with regards to security we are security.

[1:00:56] We have had stores in the surrounding area for the last 15

[1:01:00] or 20 years with a good track record of no crime happening

[1:01:06] in front of the stores or the surrounding areas .

[1:01:10] And we have a very good name and reputation for our stores.

[1:01:16] I think their main concern is noise

[1:01:20] so it doesn't matter if it's a store

[1:01:23] or if it's a bungee jumping place for kids or trampolines.

[1:01:27] I think they just want quietness but as for people

[1:01:31] who I think their problem is more so

[1:01:35] with the landlord if anything.

[1:01:37] We are running a normal business and applying for a normal part

[1:01:43] of modern supermarket to occur.

[1:01:48] I think that's about it.

[1:01:50] Is there anything else I can address?

[1:01:56] Commissioner Ireland: One question

[1:01:57] I would have is a mixed use development

[1:01:59] do you see your business as your customers are more

[1:02:02] coming into the area from the rest of Oakley and other areas

[1:02:06] or are you supporting the residents of the building

[1:02:08] that you're in?

[1:02:09] Where do you see a mixture of that?

[1:02:13] >> We are a store open to everybody.

[1:02:17] We come from China.

[1:02:19] We close at 10 p.m..

[1:02:21] So it's not like a 2 a.m.

[1:02:24] Store.

[1:02:25] As far as customers are concerned

[1:02:29] whoever wants to be a customer they're allowed to come.

[1:02:36] As long as they are able to purchase

[1:02:38] and are respectful customers and we have good relationships

[1:02:43] with the Oakley Police and as long

[1:02:48] as we are keeping things safe then I don't see a problem.

[1:02:52] And we also reserve the right to refuse service to anybody.

[1:02:58] Commissioner Ireland: That was the only question I had.

[1:03:02] Thank you.

[1:03:07] Commissioner Oliveros: Does the landlord or tenants

[1:03:09] live here in Oakley?

[1:03:12] >> We are here in Oakley.

[1:03:16] Commissioner Oliveros: So you know that we

[1:03:17] are a bedroom community.

[1:03:21] It means that everything shuts down around 8 p.m.

[1:03:25] Here so I don't understand the reason of opening until 10 p.m..

[1:03:31] I think we are putting guardrails

[1:03:34] we would probably need to revisit

[1:03:36] what those hours look like.

[1:03:39] The second piece is has there been a traffic report analysis

[1:03:45] of how many people are driving through there and have we seen

[1:03:50] a huge influx of traffic that this needs to be here between

[1:03:56] the hours of the evening which is --

[1:04:02] I'm just curious if there's been a traffic report

[1:04:04] analysis on this.

[1:04:07] >> Not on this specific conditional use permit before

[1:04:11] you tonight.

[1:04:12] As Jose mentioned the 2019 senior Residence Mixed Use

[1:04:17] project was proposed to the city as on a commercial piece

[1:04:22] of property to have mostly apartments with a small --

[1:04:28] 500 zero square foot or less commercial component

[1:04:31] and at that time the site plan was analyzed and went

[1:04:35] through all of the environmental study and everything checked

[1:04:38] out.

[1:04:39] So if there are issues with the apartments

[1:04:43] and the operation of the gates or whatever

[1:04:45] it may be with residents being able to exit the gates

[1:04:50] and I know there have been issues completely unrelated

[1:04:53] to this project tonight with the gates and things like that

[1:04:57] in the past that management has had to work out,

[1:05:00] that is really not on the applicant to solve.

[1:05:04] Those are gates for the customers --

[1:05:06] for the residents to get into the gated off portion of parking

[1:05:11] because the site has a gated portion which is on the sides

[1:05:15] of the apartments and the back of the apartments and then there

[1:05:19] is what we would call public parking that is in the front

[1:05:22] of the building for would be tenants to talk to customers

[1:05:28] of the commercial locations where they can use those.

[1:05:32] So two separate parking areas but there

[1:05:36] is a gate that you access from the public parking

[1:05:40] to the private parking.

[1:05:44] A traffic study not so much.

[1:05:47] What we look at is is circulation safe?

[1:05:50] Is there a turning radius for things of that nature.

[1:05:56] Commissioner Oliveros: I think as any business

[1:05:59] that's going to open that should be part of their analysis right?

[1:06:03] Does it make sense to be selling this here

[1:06:06] where Lucky's is right next door.

[1:06:11] How is this going to benefit the senior community there?

[1:06:16] What is in it for them?

[1:06:24] >> I understand.

[1:06:24] Going back to your first question regarding

[1:06:26] why we are open until ten.

[1:06:29] If the community is a bedroom community then being open until

[1:06:34] -- and not much traffic will occur after eight so it

[1:06:38] doesn't really matter whether or not we are open from seven

[1:06:42] to eight or 7 to 10 but those extra two hours does give

[1:06:46] a little bit of leeway for any people who --

[1:06:52] if they want to make a late night bowl of cereal and they

[1:06:55] forgot their milk and they don't have any milk and just want

[1:06:58] to go real quick to the grocery store.

[1:07:00] I understand.

[1:07:03] It's just a part of business.

[1:07:08] Commissioner Oliveros: And second

[1:07:11] question how does this benefit the senior community?

[1:07:15] >> It's a supermarket.

[1:07:18] Commissioner Oliveros: Those are all my questions.

[1:07:20] Thank you.

[1:07:26] Chair Price:

[1:07:26] any other comments from the commissioners?

[1:07:29] We will now close the public hearing.

[1:07:32] Would any commissioner like to make a motion

[1:07:34] to adopt the resolution?

[1:07:38] Commissioner Oliveros: I do not approve this resolution.

[1:07:51] Commissioner Ireland: It seems like we have strong guardrails

[1:07:53] but I just don't see a compelling reason to approve.

[1:07:57] Is just too close to a community so I'm not

[1:07:59] going to make a motion.

[1:08:09] Can I ask a question of the city attorney just as a process

[1:08:14] because I don't think we've quite

[1:08:16] had this happen where none of the commissioners

[1:08:18] want to make a motion to approve do we table

[1:08:20] or what is the next step for us?

[1:08:26] >> If there is no motion then no action has been taken

[1:08:28] on the item .

[1:08:32] In addition a commissioner could make the motion to table

[1:08:35] the item to a specific date in the future at the next Planning

[1:08:40] Commission meeting or when in the future so

[1:08:42] that could be an alternative motion

[1:08:44] to table this item to a future meeting.

[1:08:46] For further discussion.

[1:08:48] Otherwise there no action taken on item.

[1:08:55] Vice Chair Harvey: I will make a motion to table this agenda item

[1:08:59] until the next --

[1:09:05] >> Can I ask a clarifying question of the Commission?

[1:09:07] Normally when we are tabling an item

[1:09:09] or continuing it to a date certain

[1:09:12] there is some direction provided to staff

[1:09:14] or additional information the Commission wants us to analyze.

[1:09:18] We don't want to just bring back the same thing on June 16th

[1:09:23] so we would ask that if that is what the Commission is going

[1:09:28] to end up doing that staff provides some additional

[1:09:31] direction.

[1:09:31] What do you want us to look into?

[1:09:34] Do you see a solution to this to move forward?

[1:09:37] Are there additional conditions on signage or anything

[1:09:40] that you want us to look at and bring back

[1:09:42] for consideration in addition to what's already being

[1:09:50] Commissioner

[1:09:50] Ireland: I would definitely support coming back

[1:09:51] in looking at this because I do want

[1:09:52] to balance the right of the applicant with the residents.

[1:09:55] I think my larger concern is how this affects

[1:09:58] the residents and not just the issues that came up

[1:10:01] but selling distilled spirits is another step

[1:10:05] beyond a normal market and I understand

[1:10:10] that but I would just like to understand better

[1:10:12] how we are going to prevent any issues especially with things

[1:10:16] going on being right next to a resident

[1:10:20] selling that kind of liquor.

[1:10:23] Commissioner Oliveros: They're not even open

[1:10:25] yet so we don't know what that traffic will

[1:10:28] look like so I think we are getting ahead

[1:10:32] of ourselves of this whole piece in terms of this.

[1:10:35] Can we wait and see how this traffic

[1:10:40] is going come out how the residents are feeling in terms

[1:10:43] of noise and Vice Chair Harvey: Could we

[1:10:49] have an evaluation of any possible changes that could be

[1:10:52] made to approve the traffic >> Could you repeat

[1:10:57] the last part of that again?

[1:10:58] Vice Chair Harvey: Could we have an evaluation

[1:11:01] of possible solutions to the difficulty of the exit?

[1:11:11] >> We could bring something back as a report.

[1:11:13] This use is permitted.

[1:11:14] It is a permitted grocery store.

[1:11:16] The only change they want to make is a ten by eight

[1:11:20] foot section to sell distilled spirits.

[1:11:22] It should have zero impact on traffic or parking or anything

[1:11:25] like that.

[1:11:26] They are replacing -- if there are concerns with the selling

[1:11:30] of distilled spirits whether it is signage hours of operation

[1:11:34] etc.

[1:11:35] Loitering, those are the types of items

[1:11:38] we would from a planning perspective look to address.

[1:11:44] The traffic although heard they are not

[1:11:49] proposing the use of a store today.

[1:11:53] So we're not looking at whether there's

[1:11:56] adequate parking or there's adequate circulation.

[1:11:59] That's already established.

[1:12:01] So we could look at solutions or potential solutions related

[1:12:07] to the sale of distilled spirits or the display of distilled

[1:12:11] spirits or the signage that is associated

[1:12:13] with distilled spirits or security whatever it may be.

[1:12:18] Things that are related to specifically the sale.

[1:12:22] That's what we should be focusing on.

[1:12:26] And I think I've heard one of them

[1:12:30] was the potential impact on the senior community that

[1:12:34] lives in the adjacent apartments or connected

[1:12:37] apartments I should say.

[1:12:39] That's one item I don't know if there's a second specific item.

[1:12:46] Commissioner Ireland: Specifically I

[1:12:47] understand the parking and other issues are ancillary

[1:12:50] and that's just going to come with running a market.

[1:12:54] My specific concern is what level

[1:12:56] of impact adding distilled spirits on the residence

[1:12:59] is going to have.

[1:13:00] I know we have this permitted and there's

[1:13:02] a grocery store around the corner

[1:13:04] and a gas station around the corner

[1:13:05] so I do want us to be consistent but we

[1:13:09] do need to properly balance property owner rights here

[1:13:14] but I am especially nervous because this is a senior living

[1:13:18] facility.

[1:13:19] I think it's just a little bit different situation mixed use

[1:13:23] is what it is and there will always be an impact

[1:13:25] but I just want to understand what that's going to look like.

[1:13:28] Thank you.

[1:13:29] And I do want to thank the staff for preparing a very

[1:13:32] thorough report and I apologize in some ways

[1:13:35] but want to make sure at least to myself

[1:13:37] that we are careful about this moving forward.

[1:13:43] >> They are selling beer and wine no matter what.

[1:13:45] That's just part of the supermarket.

[1:13:49] So my main concern would just be if there is loitering.

[1:13:56] I know the parking is a big issue

[1:14:00] but if there's a diagram that shows how they would

[1:14:03] be parking how that would work.

[1:14:09] That might be a little more .

[1:14:19] Commissioner Ireland: So I would ask for staff recommendation

[1:14:22] and.

[1:14:22] I know this meeting was in the middle of a month

[1:14:25] normally at the first of the month.

[1:14:27] I would assume that the first meeting in June is too quick.

[1:14:31] Does that mean we need to look at this again

[1:14:34] first week of July?

[1:14:36] I want to be reasonable to the applicant.

[1:14:37] I don't want to keep them hanging.

[1:14:39] We are obviously okay but that's a lot

[1:14:41] of work for staff in two weeks.

[1:14:45] >> The meeting in June will be the third Tuesday.

[1:14:49] However it is still a pretty quick turnaround of one month.

[1:14:54] One of the positives about continuing to a date certain is

[1:14:58] that the public hearing is continued so there is no re

[1:15:01] noticing requirement so that can help staff a little bit with

[1:15:07] processing time .

[1:15:11] June 16th may be a pretty quick turnaround.

[1:15:13] I would say either the June or July

[1:15:17] meeting would be adequate times to continue this.

[1:15:23] Commissioner Ireland: Is it feasible or reasonable

[1:15:25] for us that it be added to the June agenda

[1:15:28] and if not move it to July?

[1:15:32] Take a moment.

[1:15:43] Jose is requesting if we do continue to a date certain

[1:15:48] and that would be the July meeting.

[1:15:53] Commissioner Ireland: I would make a motion

[1:15:55] to move this to July meeting and revise it

[1:15:58] with staff recommendations.

[1:16:05] >> I think we need to make that date specific correct?

[1:16:12] Commissioner Ireland: July 7th for that motion.

[1:16:16] Commissioner Goudie: I will second it.

[1:16:20] Chair Price: We have a motion and a second.

[1:16:25] Clerk please.

[1:16:27] [Reading names]

[1:16:41] Motion passes.

[1:16:45] Chair Price: Thank you.

[1:16:47] Moving to the regular calendar.

[1:16:50] Do any commissioners have any questions for staff?

[1:17:02] Commissioner Ireland: Talking about 5.1?

[1:17:03] I did have a general question just

[1:17:06] want to make sure that the Planning Commission is

[1:17:09] confirming that this is in compliance with the General

[1:17:13] Plan.

[1:17:14] I apologize.

[1:17:23] >> We do have a presentation.

[1:17:25] Commissioner Ireland: I will save that for after.

[1:17:35] >> Good evening chair price vice chair Harvey commissioners

[1:17:38] and members of the public.

[1:17:40] I'm the public works director city engineer for the City

[1:17:45] of Oakley.

[1:17:46] Tonight before you I am presenting the five year capital

[1:17:50] Improvement program and the request tonight

[1:17:53] would be to adopt the resolution finding

[1:17:55] that the program that I'm presenting tonight

[1:17:58] is consistent with our General Plan.

[1:18:04] Next slide.

[1:18:07] The public Works Department has had a very busy year

[1:18:12] as you have seen and noticed there has been construction all

[1:18:17] throughout our growing city of.

[1:18:19] There are several projects as listed

[1:18:21] in the report that have been completed

[1:18:23] in fiscal year 2025 and 2026.

[1:18:26] I will spare you all the details on all of them but just a few

[1:18:32] to highlight was the Laurel road Widening project

[1:18:39] that included repaving Ohara in coordination

[1:18:44] with the Oakley Shops Development that has been opened

[1:18:50] at that Northeast corner.

[1:18:52] Some other notable projects I want to highlight

[1:18:57] is the East Cypress Road widening just east

[1:19:02] of Rubens Way.

[1:19:04] This is a coordination effort with the developers

[1:19:10] for the subdivision and that built the full infrastructure

[1:19:16] for East Cypress Road in that segment with the median

[1:19:21] and that has been completed.

[1:19:24] And the two other notable projects I want to highlight

[1:19:28] is adjacent projects on Sellars Avenue

[1:19:35] and that was for the reconstruction for the pavement

[1:19:39] for a full reclamation in coordination with the developer

[1:19:44] also for that subdivision as they install sewer and water

[1:19:50] utilities for Sellars.

[1:19:56] As for current project highlights we have some --

[1:20:01] many projects that are currently in the process.

[1:20:06] Just three of the ones that I'd like to highlight

[1:20:09] is this project has been in our books for several years.

[1:20:17] This is at the Northwest corner of Carpenter Road and Rose

[1:20:21] Avenue.

[1:20:22] If you haven't visited the site I highly suggest you do so.

[1:20:27] You can start to see the magnitude

[1:20:31] and the size of this park has several fun amenities.

[1:20:36] This is a splash pad that will have several features

[1:20:42] for the kids to play and enjoy during the summer months.

[1:20:45] It also includes shade structures and two play

[1:20:52] structures for the children and this

[1:20:53] will be a great amenity to the neighborhood

[1:20:56] and future residents for this area.

[1:20:59] The second bullet item is all too familiar.

[1:21:03] Our East Cypress Road widening project.

[1:21:06] I think I have gained a few white hairs over the last years

[1:21:09] building this project.

[1:21:11] It's the three segment currently in construction

[1:21:18] between the Avenue to Bethel Island Road.

[1:21:21] The project is in the thick of it with construction as you see.

[1:21:26] We hope to complete the full segment by summer

[1:21:30] next year with the Canal Undergrounding

[1:21:34] for the second phase progressing on the South Side

[1:21:37] this summer so more large pipes coming into the site

[1:21:42] to underground that canal.

[1:21:44] The third bullet item here is our Oakley Library

[1:21:47] and Community Center.

[1:21:48] As you heard Jose present to us this evening

[1:21:53] it's a beautiful library that is going to break ground here

[1:21:57] in fall this year if all goes well with design

[1:22:02] and getting all of the permits issued

[1:22:04] that's another great amenity and a huge investment to our city.

[1:22:10] Looking forward to see that project materialize

[1:22:15] and take off right before my eyes in front of my office.

[1:22:21] As for upcoming projects there are many.

[1:22:25] As you see in the five year plan there's

[1:22:28] over 43 projects in there.

[1:22:30] Not all of them are funded for next fiscal year

[1:22:33] but there are several projects, exciting projects

[1:22:36] that are going to be progressing for next year.

[1:22:40] The first few that I will talk about are --

[1:22:48] currently we are looking to advertise the resurfacing of two

[1:22:53] large neighborhoods the Magnolia Park neighborhood and Teakwood

[1:22:56] neighborhood and that's going to be happening in construction

[1:23:00] this summer.

[1:23:01] The second project on the slide is our annual maintenance

[1:23:07] for our 50/50 program replacing sidewalk and curb and gutter.

[1:23:13] The third -- this is an annual improvement to look at areas

[1:23:21] where we can introduce speed bumps as part of our traffic

[1:23:27] program for our city.

[1:23:29] More annual maintenance projects.

[1:23:35] This is our Ada program replacement project to replace

[1:23:43] all of -- in our city that don't meet Ada standards.

[1:23:49] Our signal modernization project which

[1:23:52] continues to modernize our signals especially

[1:23:56] some of the older ones we have in our city and the fiscal year

[1:24:02] 26 and 27 Street where repair and maintenance project.

[1:24:07] The three segments of roadway we are focusing on

[1:24:11] for designing this upcoming year is Laurel road as you enter

[1:24:16] into our city come on the widest portion between the railroad

[1:24:21] tracks there to Empire starting to look a little tired so we

[1:24:27] are looking at the best way to improve that asset.

[1:24:30] The second roadway we are looking at

[1:24:32] is Main Street between Laurel and East Cypress.

[1:24:37] That's another segment there starting

[1:24:41] to have several base failures that will need to be addressed

[1:24:45] and the third segment we are looking at

[1:24:48] is Empire Avenue between Laurel to Main Street

[1:24:52] and that is essentially the northern half of Empire North.

[1:24:58] That's another segment we will be looking

[1:25:00] to design this upcoming year.

[1:25:04] Another exciting project we are looking

[1:25:08] to finish design and start construction this summer

[1:25:11] is CIP 343.

[1:25:13] This is our City Hall remodel for the police department.

[1:25:18] This project will remodel the reception area

[1:25:21] in the front gamma expand the evidence and records office

[1:25:25] spaces and create additional report writing office spaces

[1:25:30] and construct a new conference in City

[1:25:34] Hall with private doorways to secure the access to the police

[1:25:38] Department.

[1:25:38] This is consistent with the growing needs of our police

[1:25:42] department as we continue to hire more officers to meet

[1:25:46] the demands of our city.

[1:25:50] Another exciting upcoming project this year is --

[1:25:56] this is an accessible pathway as you may know right now it has

[1:26:05] a path surrounding the entire park that is not paved and this

[1:26:12] project we are looking to pave that path and also improve some

[1:26:19] ramps and access to the areas of the ball fields to allow for use

[1:26:32] .

[1:26:33] This project is a high priority from our city Council

[1:26:37] when we did the budget retreat.

[1:26:39] This is CIP 211.

[1:26:42] This is Main Street and Rose Avenue intersection.

[1:26:44] This is to signalize the current intersection and it serves

[1:26:50] multiple districts such as Ironhorse ,

[1:26:56] East Bay regional parks and the water District to the north.

[1:27:00] This intersection will be a four legged signal.

[1:27:05] The design has been completed.

[1:27:07] We are looking into advertise this project in the coming

[1:27:11] months as council balances the budget

[1:27:15] and we will begin construction this summer.

[1:27:20] The other signal project I've been waiting for is CIP 268.

[1:27:28] This is Main Street and Delta Road as many of you

[1:27:33] have traveled that area it is very difficult to make

[1:27:36] that left turn on Delta Road and becoming

[1:27:40] difficult to make that right turn out of Delta Road.

[1:27:43] This project also has been fully designed

[1:27:46] and we are looking to also advertise this project

[1:27:49] to construct this summer.

[1:27:52] This also received high support from City Council.

[1:27:59] This project is O'hara Avenue near Grapevine Lane.

[1:28:05] This is a continuation of the improvements we've installed

[1:28:10] of O'hara widening it.

[1:28:14] This completes the gap between the Pheasant Meadow subdivision

[1:28:19] that was recently constructed all the way to the north

[1:28:25] where we ended the sidewalk.

[1:28:29] This completes O'hara's four lane configuration

[1:28:34] for a general plan for this segment

[1:28:40] and will include bike lanes and a sidewalk.

[1:28:44] This project is also designed and we are waiting for Council

[1:28:49] to approve the budget to advertise this project

[1:28:52] and begin construction this summer.

[1:28:57] The next project is Main Street widening just north

[1:29:04] of Laurel road.

[1:29:06] This project is -- there's a gap in Main Street on the southbound

[1:29:12] direction.

[1:29:12] As you see there there are some trees and fences

[1:29:18] that will need to be removed to widen

[1:29:21] the roadway to its ultimate four lane configuration.

[1:29:24] There will be some associated with this project

[1:29:31] still in design not quite ready to go to construction yet

[1:29:34] but we are hoping to move the project forward

[1:29:37] in the coming year and when that is obtained

[1:29:41] we will proceed with construction.

[1:29:48] Last but not least is the most exciting project

[1:29:52] that has been in the books for many decades.

[1:29:55] This is the CIP 273 Laurel road extension between --

[1:31:35] [No Audio]

[1:32:01] >> I do want to take a moment and say thank you especially

[1:32:04] for getting across town the improvements here but the Delta

[1:32:09] Street light potentially the Laurel expansion gamma Cypress

[1:32:14] and as someone who lives out in that area these improvements are

[1:32:18] --

[1:32:19] I just want to say thank you to you and your team

[1:32:23] for making all this happen.

[1:32:25] I know it is a ton of work.

[1:32:29] >> Thank you Commissioner Ireland.

[1:32:31] All the white hair is worth it hearing comments like that.

[1:32:36] Chair Price: Any other questions?

[1:32:40] >> Thank you.

[1:32:41] Chair Price: Would someone like to make a resolution

[1:32:45] to adopt this?

[1:32:48] Commissioner Ireland: I will make a motion to approve it.

[1:32:57] [Reading names]

[1:33:10] Motion passes.

[1:33:18] Chair Price: Thank you.

[1:33:20] Moving to agenda item 6.1 staff reports.

[1:33:29] >> Just a couple of items to provide information .

[1:33:31] The first one is in two nights so on Thursday May 21st at 6

[1:33:37] p.m.

[1:33:38] Right here in the Council chambers

[1:33:39] the Oakley Police Department will

[1:33:41] be holding their military equipment report community

[1:33:43] Meeting which is an annual report that the police

[1:33:46] department does so if the public would like to attend

[1:33:49] it will be right here on 6 p.m.

[1:33:51] This upcoming Thursday.

[1:33:53] Second announcement is the city will be holding the Memorial Day

[1:33:57] ceremony on Saturday May 23rd and that will be approximately

[1:34:02] from 10 a.m.

[1:34:03] To 11 a.m.

[1:34:03] Right here in the Civic Center Plaza and that is Saturday

[1:34:07] the 23rd and then my final announcement we kind

[1:34:11] of addressed earlier but the next Planning Commission meeting

[1:34:14] is scheduled for June 16th and that is the regular date that

[1:34:18] was approved when those 2026 dates were approved.

[1:34:22] The commission has been paying attention

[1:34:25] to when meetings fall on election days

[1:34:29] so that people don't need to decide between going to vote

[1:34:32] or coming to the Planning Commission meeting.

[1:34:34] They went ahead and scheduled it for the third Tuesday of June

[1:34:37] so June 16th will be the next Planning Commission meeting.

[1:34:40] That concludes all of my reports.

[1:34:43] Thank you.

[1:34:49] Chair Price: Any reports from commissioners?

[1:34:53] Commissioner Oliveros: Just to save the date for October 21st

[1:34:56] doing our first Oakley Business forum partnering in this space

[1:35:00] to help all of our local businesses really thrive.

[1:35:05] We've been doing business analysis and surveys serving

[1:35:09] a lot of the small businesses here in Oakley just

[1:35:12] to get a feel for what support they need so we are really

[1:35:16] excited to bring a one of a kind forum

[1:35:19] that we are going to set ourselves apart

[1:35:22] from our neighboring cities so I would love if you're

[1:35:27] able to fill out the survey if you do own a business

[1:35:30] or know of someone who owns a business here in Oakley that

[1:35:34] is in our Chamber of Commerce website

[1:35:38] and hopefully we get a good group of folks coming out.

[1:35:43] Chair Price: Thank you.

[1:35:45] Any other reports?

[1:35:48] Request for future agenda items from the commissioners?

[1:35:58] Now moving to item 7.1.

[1:36:25] >> Thank you commissioners.

[1:36:26] Tonight we have a work session on objective design standards.

[1:36:29] First we will start with some background.

[1:36:32] Design guidelines are the city's adopting

[1:36:38] a direction for what quality development should

[1:36:40] look like in Oakley.

[1:36:41] They apply to all types of development

[1:36:44] from a single family residential development

[1:36:47] a multifamily residential development

[1:36:49] a commercial development, industrial.

[1:36:52] Tonight will be exclusively talking

[1:36:54] about residential development.

[1:36:58] These standards can cover the amount of open space

[1:37:03] in a development's design com a small architectural aspect

[1:37:08] such as window trim to more impactful standards

[1:37:12] around building massing.

[1:37:14] They really cover a wide range of architectural aspects

[1:37:17] and design aspects of a housing project.

[1:37:22] We hope decision makers applicants and the public

[1:37:26] evaluate whether a project fits the community's character

[1:37:30] and expectations for site planning building design

[1:37:34] landscaping streetscape and compatibility.

[1:37:41] Over the last decade come a the California Legislature

[1:37:46] has passed a series of laws intended to streamline housing

[1:37:50] production by requiring certain types of projects

[1:37:53] to be reviewed solely against objective standards.

[1:37:57] At the same time as that cities have been required

[1:38:02] to zone for additional housing.

[1:38:06] This has pushed cities to adopt more objective design standards.

[1:38:13] Let's cover what odds are.

[1:38:18] Objective design standards are design requirements

[1:38:20] that are clear measurable knowable in advance

[1:38:24] and applied in the same way to all qualifying projects.

[1:38:28] Here's an example.

[1:38:30] An example here is instead of saying the building should

[1:38:35] be compatible with the neighborhood,

[1:38:37] an objective standard might say primary building entries should

[1:38:41] face the public street or publicly accessible walkway.

[1:38:45] That way the developer and the builder

[1:38:47] knows a little bit more what we are

[1:38:50] looking for while they are designing it

[1:38:52] before they get to our review and then on to a public hearing.

[1:38:57] The goal is not to remove good design.

[1:39:00] The goal is to define what good design means

[1:39:03] in measurable enforceable terms that applicant staff decision

[1:39:06] makers and the public can all understand before an application

[1:39:10] is submitted.

[1:39:11] In Oakley we have two illustrated manuals

[1:39:16] that have residential design guidelines.

[1:39:19] We have the 2003 Residential Design guidelines

[1:39:22] and then we have the downtown specific plan.

[1:39:25] They have a mix of subjective standards

[1:39:29] and objective standards and in the downtown it's more modern

[1:39:34] and it has more objective standards.

[1:39:36] We feel that it has sufficient objective standards

[1:39:40] that it does not need to be modified but the 2003

[1:39:44] Residential design guidelines are a little bit more subjective

[1:39:47] and so we are looking to update those.

[1:39:50] With this project we are talking about tonight.

[1:39:55] As Oakley continues to grow come a new housing

[1:40:00] may be proposed whether we have these standards in place or not.

[1:40:04] Objective design standards give us

[1:40:06] the tools to make sure that new housing fits in

[1:40:09] with our community and is nice to live in.

[1:40:12] Projects are well evaluated to our standards,

[1:40:16] housing is reviewed efficiently and consistently

[1:40:20] and we meet the requirements of state law.

[1:40:24] Without adopted objective standards

[1:40:26] the city has limited ability to shape

[1:40:28] the design of housing projects that

[1:40:30] qualify for streamlined review.

[1:40:32] These standards are how we ensure housing construction is

[1:40:35] aligned with our goals and values

[1:40:38] while still welcoming new Oakley residents.

[1:40:43] We have some areas of focus we want your feedback on in.

[1:40:47] We want to see if we're on the right track.

[1:40:50] While we provide some draft guidelines to you

[1:40:53] we are not expecting you to provide us

[1:40:55] with specific details on each of the guidelines.

[1:40:57] Rather staff would like to know what

[1:41:00] areas of the guidelines we should focus

[1:41:02] on and for you to provide us any significant topics you

[1:41:06] may feel we may be missing.

[1:41:13] The first one we have is public Safety.

[1:41:18] This one took a little bit of explaining to my colleagues

[1:41:22] because we already extensively reviewed Public Safety.

[1:41:25] It's a huge priority for us.

[1:41:27] When we get a project in it doesn't

[1:41:29] matter that the design guidelines

[1:41:31] don't tell us to do this.

[1:41:33] We routed out to these agencies.

[1:41:36] The fire department the police department

[1:41:39] and we require that projects incorporate their comments

[1:41:45] and so anyone who is familiar with reviewing

[1:41:49] housing projects will turn their head at this do we need this?

[1:41:53] We have staff and our team who have been in public hearings

[1:41:57] for these streamlined projects and the public

[1:42:01] wants it explicitly said.

[1:42:03] When it comes time for public comment

[1:42:06] on these streamlined housing projects

[1:42:08] come a public safety comes up and they don't just

[1:42:11] want to hear from staff that it was routed.

[1:42:19] The other instigator of this is when

[1:42:22] we are at the permit counter and we

[1:42:25] have someone who wants to build a housing development.

[1:42:28] We will slide over our guidelines

[1:42:30] and they start thinking about their project

[1:42:32] from that perspective.

[1:42:34] I would like them to think about it

[1:42:35] from the early pages about public safety evacuation routes

[1:42:40] things of that nature so when they

[1:42:42] go to their architect that's the first thing on their mind.

[1:42:49] Next is site design.

[1:42:51] Another area of focus for us.

[1:42:54] We want new housing to be a nice place to live.

[1:42:56] We want good site design open space pedestrian pathways

[1:43:01] and connections to ways of getting around.

[1:43:05] That's important to us.

[1:43:10] We are also looking at the building envelope.

[1:43:13] Rather than being overly prescriptive

[1:43:16] about every aspect of design planning staff

[1:43:19] are focused on ensuring that building envelopes are

[1:43:22] appropriate within the surrounding area

[1:43:25] that they do not dominate the surrounding landscape where

[1:43:29] possible and that they are sensitive to nearby existing

[1:43:32] homes.

[1:43:32] An example of that is many cities

[1:43:35] are stepping back their top floors

[1:43:37] when they are close to shorter residential buildings

[1:43:41] like in this example here.

[1:43:47] For us that's more important than making sure

[1:43:50] we have a certain percentage of glazing

[1:43:53] or so many feet of some type of architectural feature.

[1:44:00] When we talk about the smaller design aspects

[1:44:03] we want buildings that look good and hold up over time

[1:44:06] but our standards need to be realistic about cost.

[1:44:09] If design requirements push project costs to high housing

[1:44:13] does not get built and that does not help anyone.

[1:44:16] We want to require articulation and facade variation

[1:44:21] without dictating every inch of every cornice or glazing area.

[1:44:27] We want to focus on the elements that matter

[1:44:30] and how a building looks and feels

[1:44:32] from the street or other common areas.

[1:44:36] Another focus of ours is community feedback.

[1:44:41] At our public outreach meeting residents

[1:44:44] shared priorities that are shaping our approach.

[1:44:47] We heard that we should build communities not just

[1:44:50] housing gamma people want neighborhoods with shared spaces

[1:44:53] not just rows of buildings.

[1:44:55] We heard design should encourage interaction between neighbors.

[1:44:59] We also heard we should allow creative freedom for architects

[1:45:03] standards should set a floor not a ceiling prescriptive rules

[1:45:08] that force every project to look the same going

[1:45:12] against good design.

[1:45:13] We are writing clear minimums while leaving room

[1:45:17] for architects to bring creative high quality solutions.

[1:45:22] In Oakley as far as I remember we

[1:45:26] have had a philosophy of not focusing on the most

[1:45:31] difficult parts of a project.

[1:45:33] We want to dive head first into that work

[1:45:35] so the most fleshed out parts of this project

[1:45:37] are these nitty gritty standards for how

[1:45:39] the architectural details should be designed

[1:45:42] and how the site should be designed.

[1:45:44] We've attached two draft chapters

[1:45:46] for you attached to the staff report.

[1:45:50] Attachment one covers multifamily and mixed

[1:45:55] use residential standards including site design street

[1:45:59] connectivity pedestrian pathways vehicle access parking lot

[1:46:04] screening utilities and service areas and primary entry design.

[1:46:15] Attachment two covers single family residential standards

[1:46:20] including building form and massing facade projections

[1:46:24] second floor setbacks story separation facade materials

[1:46:29] and covered porch design.

[1:46:37] Another aspect we need to talk about

[1:46:40] is when we get really technical.

[1:46:42] Each day Oakley's planning team is

[1:46:45] working to make construction and land use more

[1:46:47] accessible for residents.

[1:46:49] We usually roll our eyes when we see folks in our profession

[1:46:52] make things overly complicated.

[1:46:54] We are asking for your support and patience

[1:46:57] on some aspects of this project that we feel

[1:47:00] need to get into the weeds.

[1:47:02] For example urban planning has started

[1:47:05] using the term which is just a large walkway for residents

[1:47:10] that connects folks to areas of a housing complex.

[1:47:13] We saw that used in the library project

[1:47:16] today which was a good win that was mentioned in the first item.

[1:47:21] During the years of living in Oakley and going to school here

[1:47:25] we never use this term but as a planner in 2026

[1:47:28] I am finding it a good way to communicate

[1:47:31] what we need in a project.

[1:47:33] Additionally there's a state law that

[1:47:36] only allows us to use pre 2018 subjective standards to review

[1:47:43] some projects.

[1:47:44] So you will likely see us carry over those standards

[1:47:47] and that can be confusing.

[1:47:49] We will make sure to explain that.

[1:47:52] We hate to have to get technical in that way.

[1:47:55] We just want it clear and simple in order

[1:47:57] to get us the projects we want we will likely implement that.

[1:48:03] Those are our areas of focus.

[1:48:06] Let's go over the next steps.

[1:48:08] Tonight we are seeking your feedback on our overall focus

[1:48:13] and direction.

[1:48:14] We'd love to hear your thoughts.

[1:48:16] We will then do the same with the City Council in July.

[1:48:20] We will complete a draft of the regulations

[1:48:22] and provide those to you later this year

[1:48:25] for review and potential recommendation to the City

[1:48:27] Council.

[1:48:28] We will then seek City Council approval.

[1:48:31] While we do want to strengthen our guidelines quickly and get

[1:48:35] quality regulations on the books we are not great artists

[1:48:38] and will likely seek a consultant

[1:48:40] to develop an illustrated manual after we get it approved.

[1:48:44] Thanks for your time commissioners.

[1:48:46] We welcome your questions and feedback.

[1:48:55] Vice Chair Harvey: Thank you for the report

[1:48:57] that was very informative.

[1:49:00] Commissioner Oliveros: The architect part

[1:49:01] where you mentioned giving architects

[1:49:03] free autonomy to design I thought that was amazing.

[1:49:07] So does this mean that is it the architects

[1:49:11] that the city works with or the architects

[1:49:13] that the builders work with?

[1:49:17] >> That's a great question.

[1:49:18] It's the architects that the builders work with and just

[1:49:20] to give you some details on that we only had a few folks come

[1:49:25] to our outreach meeting.

[1:49:27] One of them was an architect who happens to live in town

[1:49:32] and people are making the case that we always

[1:49:36] require multiple materials on the front facade

[1:49:38] and what if you did a farmhouse on a large portion of it.

[1:49:44] That should be sufficient and it was a good argument

[1:49:46] so we are thinking on that.

[1:49:51] Commissioner Oliveros: That's great.

[1:49:54] It's an attraction for bringing new families

[1:49:59] and I love that term so thank you for that.

[1:50:14] Commissioner Ireland: I do want to emphasize

[1:50:16] that leaving some creative freedom is a good thing

[1:50:18] and we need to balance that with our need

[1:50:20] to create a robust set of design standards

[1:50:24] and just as a general comment I fully

[1:50:26] support getting as technical as you need

[1:50:29] to to have specific criteria identified so there is no wiggle

[1:50:34] room and language especially if language among design

[1:50:37] is evolving.

[1:50:38] New word for me tonight.

[1:50:42] So I'm not sure if you're looking for a feedback

[1:50:46] but there were a few things I had questions on that

[1:50:49] if it's not going to cause too many issues just to consider.

[1:50:52] We talked about public safety.

[1:50:55] That was one of them but how we can ensure that fire codes are

[1:50:58] up to date and also site access specifically things

[1:51:02] like access of fire trucks.

[1:51:04] We talk a lot about evacuation but just

[1:51:06] ensuring we have access for police or regular vehicles.

[1:51:11] There's a few other items when I looked

[1:51:15] over the preliminary working drafts

[1:51:17] and I may have missed it because I

[1:51:19] am somewhat new to all of this but things like density

[1:51:22] requirements, coverage limits.

[1:51:26] One item I did not see in there and I know we are --

[1:51:35] light standards for how exterior lighting is done as well as tree

[1:51:39] planting ratios so we can make sure we still have a proper

[1:51:43] landscaping so the intent of my comments is I don't want

[1:51:45] to create an environment where we're not allowing for that

[1:51:48] creative freedom we talked about but we do need some kind

[1:51:52] of objective design standards especially given how planning is

[1:51:55] changing in the state and I want to say thank you for being

[1:51:59] proactive and the whole team for addressing this issue.

[1:52:03] >> Thank you Commissioner and that's very helpful feedback

[1:52:06] because I can either add it to the drafts or if we have it

[1:52:10] somewhere else when I bring you the drafts I can tell you where

[1:52:13] that is so that's very helpful.

[1:52:15] Thank you.

Regular Meeting of the Oakley Planning Commission

Transcript