pages: PlanningBoard/2007-06-25.pdf, 8
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
PlanningBoard | 2007-06-25 | 8 | Mr. Sulivan noted that they had developed millions of square feet of retail, and they learned that smaller retail tenants tend to feed off each other.. He noted that there were no paseos or pedestrian paths focused on the back of the retail blocks. He noted that the paseos would be very activated, with entries and dining on them, which would naturally drawn people to those spaces. He described the circulation patterns as they envisioned them, and noted that it would much like a typical downtown. Board member Kohlstrand mentioned Tucker's on Park Street, which also had a courtyard which served as a secondary entrance; she would like that to be an example of the retail use. Vice President Cook noted that Fourth Street was also a good example, as it had many smaller parking lots in back of the buildings. Board member Cunningham believed the Planning Board should ensure that the plan supported a strong landscape plan. He would like the detailed planting plan to define how the area would be activated. Vice President Cook wanted to ensure there would be understoried foliage, and she wanted to ensure there would be sufficient landscaping. Mr. Sullivan noted that it would be incorporated into the site plans; for every fourth palm, there would be a canopy tree along Fifth Street, as well as in all of the pedestrian plazas and parking lot trees. Board member Ezzy Ashcraft wanted to ensure that the college students who may work at the restaurants and the shops were able to get there from the college. She noted that she was concerned with the retail tenanting, as cited on page 3 of the staff report: "The retail centers provides an important market foundation for the future development of the second phase of retail referred to in the Master Plan as the waterfront plaza retail to attract the quality restaurants and specialty retail uses that would make the waterfront plaza a truly unique Alameda location. Alameda Landing needs to first establish a solid foundation of office, retail and residential uses that can support the future "high end" uses envisioned at the waterfront plaza." She believed there was a distinction between high-end and other retail uses in the staff report, and inquired about other high-end retail establishments that may be supported by lower-end establishments. She cited Santana Row in San Jose and Fourth Street in Berkeley were two other retail areas. Mr. Tiernan noted that their strategy was to create a critical mass of retail as a first phase, and would not characterize it as high-end or low-end. He believed there would be a broad spectrum of retail uses, either local, regional or national. He believed it would increase the value of the retail frontage on the site, and that when the successful flagship tenant (Clif Bar) was established, it would be easier to bring in quality establishments to the site. Page 8 of 13 | PlanningBoard/2007-06-25.pdf |