AgdaPkt 2003-08-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Ar Y Commissioner Seybert said his feeling is that you need the most space where the most people are going to be. As the chances for people reduce, the space could probably go down, and he saw that as a critical spot to be wider. Mr. Bottomley said another reason for proposing the 40 -foot setback is because they are looking at the oth9r side of the street too, trying to anticipate what would be a good end - state for the entire ,orridor (from Whipple Avenue to Woodside Road) Commissioner Seybert did not agree with changing the "road map" via Variance. Mr. Bottomley said to be consistent, if there is a way to promote a boulevard image that involves a lesser setback and is consistent Policy -wise, that would be a way to think about changing it. Commissioner Garcia said he assumes that if you are going from 20 feet to 40 feet there would be more greenery, shrubbery, trees, etc., and was concerned about previous discussions regarding lack of water. Mr. Bottomley said the Precise Plan is looking at two things: (1) the space between the buildings and the street, and (2) a double row of street trees. The assumption is it would be drought tolerant. Chair Foust asked what the City has actually put forth in this Project regarding adjustments. Planning Manager Church said regarding the 40 -foot setback and the Marshall Court issues, the City's reaction to Kaiser is a bit colored due to previous discussions, and staff is leaving it up to the PC, as policy- makers, to make the decisions. Chair Foust wanted to understand that if a building is very tall and flat, but 40 feet back, would it look better if was 20 feet back and stacked, and how it would feel from a pedestrian perspective. Chair Foust said she is not comfortable with "flat" sides. That was an issue with the Cinema Project, and she feels that this is going down the same path, and that we should allow some flexibility language in the Precise Plan (not specific language). Chair Foust said she is not comfortable with allowing a variance. She said it shoots down the whole idea of a Precise Plan. Mr. Church said the City has not tried to design the Campus for Kaiser, but tried to develop the edge constraints. He said what they do not have is the proposal for a specific project for the Hospital building. He said that would be the time to react to something (i.e., setback requirement, step back requirement, etc.), because it will be six or seven years into the future. Mr. Church said the Precise Plan will be a guide for staff and Commissions over the next ten - twenty years. So if staff thinks that Kaiser really wants the 20 foot setback on Veterans Boulevard, then the City should acknowledge and agree to it now. Commissioner Seybert referred to his previous comment regarding the conflicting statement regarding building setbacks. He said if the intent was given and then the Page 10 of 17