pages: PlanningBoard/2006-10-23.pdf, 13
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PlanningBoard | 2006-10-23 | 13 | 8-B. V06-0005/DR06-0052- Christopher Seiwald - 2320 Blanding Avenue (CE). The applicant requests approval of Variance and Major Design Review applications to allow the construction of a 17,058 square foot addition to an existing 27,300 square foot commercial building. The total building square footage of the proposed three-story structure is 44,358 square feet. A Variance to the parking requirements is requested to allow the provision of 111 parking spaces where 120 parking spaces are required by the Alameda Municipal Code. The project site is zoned M-2 General Industrial (Manufacturing). (Continued from the meeting of October 9, 2006.) Ms. Eliason summarized the staff report, and recommended approval of this proposed project. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Richard Hornberger, project architect, summarized the background of the project, and introduced the property owner. Mr. Christopher Seiwald, applicant, noted that his company, Perforce Software, was started in Alameda and added that they were rapidly running out of room; he estimated that the current building could accommodate another year or two of growth. Mr. Hornberger noted that in the new layout, two curb cuts were deleted, resulting in 3 parking spaces. Vice President Cook believed this was a good use, and expressed concern about intensifying what she perceived to be a very dangerous corner. She hoped that Public Works would look at that corner. Mr. Hornberger noted that the applicant was very sensitive to that corner. Vice President Cook added that the corner should be striped, that it should be clear where people should be when they turn the corner, and that there probably should be a stop sign at that corner. Ms. Eliason noted that staff would pass that information to Public Works. Member Ezzy Ashcraft realized that this block did not contain the most attractive buildings in the City, and while she believed the proposed building was generally attractive, she was concerned about the color renderings in the back of the packet that illustrated the conspicuous three-story buildings. She inquired whether the roof line could be changed to add some visual interest. Mr. Hornberger noted that they could re-examine the design, and believed that the combination of the banding at the top and the bottom helped the building blend in. He added that the strong vertical element and a stepped planter also helped. He believed the introduction of another element would add to the visual busyness. Member McNamara believed this building would be an enhancement to the current area, which she believed was currently blighted. She did not object to the nine-parking-space variance out of 111 parking spaces. She did not believe there was any room on Oak Street Planning Board Minutes Page 13 October 23, 2006 | PlanningBoard/2006-10-23.pdf |