AgdaPkt 2014-07-28 Closed, Special and Joint SA

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8.B. - Page 7 6. Adequate public and private facilities such as utilities, landscaping, parking spaces and traffic circulation measures are or will be provided for the proposed use. Reasons For Use Permit Denial Finding #2 The proposed use will not be consistent with the various elements and objectives of the general plan and zoning regulations for the subject location. The Project would not further General Plan policies that encourage more complete neighborhoods that include complimentary uses such as schools, parks, libraries, and other neighborhood- serving uses (p. BE -14 of the General Plan) because the Project's vicinity is already deemed a complete neighborhood with existing complementary uses including Roosevelt School (which has recently expanded from a kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school to a kindergarten through 8th grade school), a public library, two churches, and neighborhood - serving retail and restaurant establishments. In other words, the Planning Commission found that this particular neighborhood already strikes the right balance of land uses in the immediate area in order to be considered a complete neighborhood. Therefore, an additional school would not contribute to making this a more complete neighborhood. Finding #3 The proposed use is not compatible with surrounding uses. The neighbors have expressed concerns regarding traffic and safety resulting from the expansion of Roosevelt School. These concerns include vehicular backup resulting from queuing during peak student pick -up and drop -off times, residents unable to back out of their respective driveways safely during this same time period, and concerns regarding vehicular use of neighborhood streets as a cut - through between Farm Hill Boulevard, Downtown Redwood City, and /or the freeways. The Project could exacerbate the existing conditions and create a negative impact on the residential living environment. Therefore, in accordance with Policy BE -2.5 of the General Plan, the City must protect neighborhoods from such negative impacts. Alternative Recommendation Staff had initially recommended approval of this application to the Planning Commission. While staff is now recommending the City Council uphold the Planning Commission denial, the following section provides an analysis of the alternative recommendation to approve this application.