AgdaPkt 2013-07-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7.A. - Page 37 d. The proposed project would operate within the existing roadway system. The project would provide access to its on- site parking garage from Middlefield Road. As a condition of project approval, the City requires that parking garage ramps be designed in conformance with adopted Engineering Standards, including consideration of the safety and visibility of pedestrians, subject to City review and approval. No substantial design hazards or incompatible uses are anticipated, and this impact is considered less than significant. The proposed amendments would not substantially increase hazards due to a design feature or incompatible uses. The elimination of the Depot Circle and replacement with Depot Plaza inclusive of maintaining the current street grid would not result in arry new impacts beyond those identified in the DTPP EIR. Furthermore, keeping the railroad at grade and no longer requiring Theatre Way Extension will not require the alteration of arry existing roadway systems. As a result, not additional analysis is required and no further impacts beyond those identified in the DTPP EIR are anticipated. e. The proposed project will utilize the existing roadways in the vicinity. The project design will be required to comply with all applicable City codes and regulations pertaining to emergency access, as well as fire protection and security, including the standard Redwood City Fire Department requirements listed in item XIV above. Mitigation 8-1 of the DTPP EIR directs the City to implement signal detectors to provide priority traffic signal timing for emergency response vehicles; this program is underway. Also, a mandatory construction traffic routing and parking plan subject to City approval will be prepared to ensure that adequate emergency access is maintained during construction. As a result, the proposed amendments and the project impact on emergency access are considered less than significant. f. Structured parking with 904 auto spaces and 46 motorcycle spaces would be located entirely on-site on two basement levels, the ground floor, and three above-grade levels (Plan Sheets A2.0 through A2.5, 4/26/13). The parking structure would be incorporated within the building facades. Secured indoor storage for 180 bikes would be located on the ground floor parking level, along with restrooms and showers. All parking would be accessed from Middlefield Road. Based on DTPP minimum parking requirements, the project is short by 14 auto spaces and subsequently by 4 bike spaces. The approximately 210 surface parking spaces on the project site would be removed,• no on-streetparking would be removed. The project site was anticipated for development under the DTPP, and the movie theatre complex parking garage and other nearby parking facilities would be available for current patrons of the site's surface parking. In addition, the project's parking would be available to the general public (non-tenants) from 5: 00 to 10: 00 PM on weekdays and from 8: 00 AM to 10: 00 PM on weekends, including theatre validated parking. The proposed amendments would result in the elimination of Parking Zones 3 and 4, which are no longer relevant due to the elimination of the elevated railroad. The concept of allowing parking under the elevated railroad was an attempt to recapture some of the land value and not necessary to address the overall buildout potential of the Downtown. As a result, since the railroad tracks are no longer to be elevated, at a significant cost, there is no longer a need to recapture the land value. Furthermore, to help address the City address the need for managing the parking supply in Downtown, the proposed amendments would allow exposed surface parking in Parking Zone 2 on a temporary basis, at the discretion of the Planning Manager. Exposed surface parking is a land use that currently exists within the Downtown and therefore would not constitute the introduction of a new land use that could otherwise be considered incompatible. The accommodation of temporary parking would also ensure the DTPP would not result in arry impacts due to inadequate parking capacity. As a result, no impacts are anticipated as a result of inadequate parking capacity. g. Adoption of the proposed amendments and implementation of the proposed project will not require on- or off-site improvements that would conflict with existing policies, plans, or programs that support alternative transportation. The project site is located adjacent to a regional rail station (Caltrain) and transit center (SamTrans). In addition, the proposed project will support both bicycle and pedestrian usage consistent with the DTPP, including secure bicycle parking, sidewalk improvements, and new landscaping. As a result, the proposed project will not have an impact on alternative transportation modes. 28