AgdaPkt 2000-12-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kelly discussed the industry trends and Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church addressed economic and fiscal impacts. Public Comment: Darcy Anderson stated she likes the Downtown's current image with its sidewalk cafes, national recognized library, Canada College extension, U.C. Berkeley Campus, Historical Museum, Jazz Fridays and the housing. She further stated she wants Downtown to be a special place but is unsure why a 20-theatre megaplex is necessary. She stated that possibly an alternative location would be appropriate. Clem Molony stated he was asked by the Chamber, Council Member and City leaders to look at the positives and negatives of the EIR, the objectives of the project, scale, transit opportunities, traffic, pazking and housing alternatives. He stated that he is somewhat in favor of the project and that this project is specifically directed at Downtown revitalization. Mr. Molony stated there are some EIR issues: seating limitation should be in place to address the parking issue; pazking gazage access should be adequate; signal coordination at Jefferson and El Camino Real; and a lack of housing in the project. Bob Baldwin stated the discouragement of small business is a concem and that possibly the decision should go before the voters. George McKibbin stated the presentations were good, but that he did not agree with them. He continued and cited bankruptcy rates in the theatre industry as well as tr�c and parking issues that currently exist and will get worse. Dave Simpson explained the various traffic issues in the area and questioned how there would be no effect. He specifically referred to the large complex at the end of Seaport Boulevard as � well as other buildings in the azea and the need to require developers to consider the impacts of other building and complexes in the area. Audrey Lehnen stated her opposition to the cinema complex in the Downtown. She stated her philosophical opposition to movies and concern of a potential unwanted element. Even though she felt the cinema would be successful in the short term, she expressed concerns about parking, overall congestion and air pollution. She stated one possible idea is housing with retail on the bottom floor. Michael Hitchcock stated he agreed with the previous speakers regarding housing in the Downtown, but wanted to speak of the parking structure and the use of the valuable Downtown land. He proposed a scenario where developers submit bid proposals for development of the property and provide parking rather than an analysis where free parking is expected and provided by government. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 27, 2000 MINUTES PAGE 3 _ . .. __ _ _. _. .