AgdaPkt 2017-05-22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 17 of 27 along the Project’s street frontage will help to further the objectives of the DTPP as these features help make Jefferson Ave. feel much more walkable and welcoming than the present conditions. As such, the Project is consistent with all aspects of public frontage and streetscape provisions of the DTPP, and the complete streets policy. v. The Project is Consistent with the Community Intent and Guiding Principles of the DTPP, and its Policies to Promote the Development of a Vibrant Downtown Community Through Commercial Development of a Range of Buildings Appellants’ Contention: The Project violates the DTPP vision to retain the “history, charm and livability” of an historic medium sized city; that it does not contribute to the formation of a “vibrant and beautiful city center;” that it does not aid in creating a “memorable urban district interwoven with the city’s identity;” that it fails to “achieve benefit to the widest possible range of user populations;” that it does not “rebuild the downtown on the traditional framework” of its history and scale; that it does not represent “urbanism;” that it does not reflect the “vision” of the DTPP as depicted in the drawings on pages 19-23; and that it does not emphasize streets doubling as “outdoor open spaces.” (See Appeal, pp. 2-3) City’s Response: As discussed throughout this report, with the exception of the reduced parking pursuant to allowances under the State Density Bonus law and DTPP, the Project meets all of the development standards and all but fifteen of the design guidelines. The guideline deviations were reviewed by the AAC and approved by the Planning Commission as required under the DTPP, and as such, the Project is consistent with the intent and guiding principles of the DTPP. The DTPP allows for buildings up to 12-stories in height on the subject parcel because it is located within the downtown core where the maximum building heights are intended to be the tallest. The DTPP acknowledges that Redwood City’s downtown is both older and larger than most other towns along the Peninsula where the “downtown” is defined by a single pedestrian thoroughfare or “main street.” The DTPP aims to create prominent pedestrian streets and the “dramatic silhouette of a medium-sized city center” unlike neighboring Peninsula downtowns that “are characterized by a fairly even distribution of one, two and three story buildings.” The Project meets these objectives, as it will help to create that “dramatic silhouette” through its 6-story building height and contemporary architectural styling, both of which are in keeping with the scale and style of numerous buildings within the vicinity and throughout the North of Marshall District. Additionally, whereas the great majority of residential projects approved and constructed to-date in the downtown have been market-rate rental apartments, the Project would create 20 for-sale residential condominiums that are affordable at the low- income level, and part of the DTPP’s intent is to promote “dense housing options” designed for a range of both rental and for-sale housing types. Also, the DTPP aims to “accommodate all people comfortably, regardless of age, economic status, disability, or ethnicity.” (DTPP, pp. 14-15) 8.A. - Page 17