| Time | Speaker | Text |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00:12.42 | Kristina Feller | Thank you so much, Maria. |
| 00:00:16.91 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Good evening, everybody. And welcome to the regular commission hearing for Wednesday, February 16th. I believe we have a corn. So, so could I kindly ask principal for Thompson to take the roll call. |
| 00:00:31.37 | Rozalynne Thompson | Yes, Chair Feller. And I'd like to make an introductory remark before we call roll about this being held telephonically. please. Thank you. Go. Good evening chair Feller and planning commissioners. This meeting is being held pursuant to government code section 54953 E and in light of the declared state of emergency, the regular meeting of the planning commission on February 16 2022 will be conducted telephonically through zoom and broadcast live on the city's website. Shall I call roll? |
| 00:01:02.65 | Kristina Feller | Please do, thank you. |
| 00:01:04.90 | Rozalynne Thompson | COMMISSIONER GRAFF. I'm not sure. Commissioner Luxenberg? |
| 00:01:09.47 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yoke. |
| 00:01:10.47 | Rozalynne Thompson | COMMISSIONER ASAID. Yeah. Vice Chair Junius. THE END OF THE END OF THE Chair Fowler. here. We have a forum. |
| 00:01:18.38 | Kristina Feller | Terrific, thank you. Let's move on to item number two this evening, which is the approval of the agenda. Do I have any, yes, Director Moore. |
| 00:01:28.22 | Jim Moore | Chair Feller, if I may, I'm not sure what your protocol is, but we are going to be recommending that item be continued to a data uncertain. You can either, I believe, pull it now or you can wait and pull it or continue it when you get to that item if someone wants to actually ask more questions about why. Thank you. |
| 00:01:51.29 | Kristina Feller | Terrific. Thank you for that. And I think what we'll do is wait till we get to the item. to actually pull it because of noticing At this point, I think we can approve the agenda as is, and then we'll take action at the time of... hearing our first public hearing item. just for clarity and simplicity. Thank you. |
| 00:02:16.35 | Andrew Junius | I move to approve the agenda. |
| 00:02:16.38 | Kristina Feller | I move. Do I have a second? |
| 00:02:20.75 | Andrew Junius | back on. |
| 00:02:21.75 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Planner Thompson? |
| 00:02:25.31 | Rozalynne Thompson | Mr. Graff. Yeah. Mr. Luxenberg. |
| 00:02:29.46 | Jeffery Luxenberg | us. |
| 00:02:30.15 | Rozalynne Thompson | Commissioner Saad? Yes. Vice-year Junius. Yes. Chair Feller. Yes. Motion carries unanimously. |
| 00:02:38.22 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. So let's move on to item number three, which is communications. And let's go ahead and start with staff. If Director Moore or Principal Planner Thompson would like to start, if there are any communications for the public and for the commission at this time. |
| 00:02:55.11 | Jim Moore | I'll yield to principal planner Thompson if you have anything at this point. Rosalind. |
| 00:03:01.10 | Rozalynne Thompson | I do not have anything, Jim, at this time. |
| 00:03:04.04 | Jim Moore | Okay, great. Then I'll go ahead. Just a heads up. We were looking at the agenda for March 8th for the city council meeting. And I was kind of surprised, but happy. It looks like there's going to be a long last joint meeting between you all and the city council. So mark your calendars for March 8th. And if things go as discussed today, that'll be a presentation at the beginning of the meeting. So we'll call roll for both bodies and you'll get into the subject matter. it'll be your show basically and then we'll adjourn the joint meeting and then the commission council will carry on with their regular agenda Thank you. |
| 00:03:45.04 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much for that. |
| 00:03:47.27 | Jeffery Luxenberg | This is a Tuesday. |
| 00:03:50.90 | Kristina Feller | let's double check the date and I'm sure that |
| 00:03:54.63 | Jeffery Luxenberg | That is a Tuesday. that's right sorry yes I may not be available Thank you. I'll be on a plane at that time. |
| 00:04:03.98 | Jim Moore | Thank you. And I'm sorry for the late notice. |
| 00:04:07.57 | Kristina Feller | That's okay. We've been looking for a joint hearing. We won't get into too much discussion now since it's not noticed, but certainly... |
| 00:04:14.19 | Unknown | Got it. |
| 00:04:14.79 | Kristina Feller | logistics we will we will need to address for all commissioners and and so on um certainly um Let me ask our city attorney if she has any any announcements or updates. |
| 00:04:30.27 | Mary Wagner | Oh, thanks Chair Feller. So the city council did hear last night the request to amend the tree ordinance to add the opportunity to have a tree replacement fee instead of having to either waive that requirement for a replacement tree or plant one. So they gave first reading to the ordinance, had a robust discussion about how to set the fee, and working with your community development director to see if there's an opportunity to bring that question to the planning commission before we bring it back to the council for further discussion on the eighth. |
| 00:05:03.51 | Kristina Feller | Very good. Thank you so much. Okay, if there are no other staff communications at this time, let me turn to the commission. Commissioner Graff, do you have any updates or communications? |
| 00:05:17.28 | Richard Graef | No, I don't. |
| 00:05:18.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Commissioner Saad. |
| 00:05:22.19 | Nastassya Saad | Just to say that the next Housing element advisory committee meeting is coming up on the 28th of this month. We did have that town hall. I think over 100 people joined last when I saw when I was on there. So it seemed like a good initial discussion, but it would definitely encourage all of the public to come to the HEAC meeting. We have a short agenda for we have a short time frame and each meeting is laid out in terms of objectives so just a general encouragement for everyone to come to the 28th at 6 p.m and join us for the housing element advisory |
| 00:06:00.19 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Saad. And if you don't mind my adding to that, The public participation is so critical to this process. Please, there's no need to wait until we actually have a virtual hearing. We want to hear from you. all the time, whatever's on your mind or any thoughts, ideas, comments, you name it. So please write in to the HIAC. a link on the city website to both our virtual binder and our meeting schedule. And you can communicate and contact us through that. And I really just would encourage strongly everybody to take advantage of that. We really wanna hear you. There's also a link to register as a stakeholder if you're an individual, a business, an interested party, what have you. So, The more we have outreach, the more robust this process will be and the better the result will be. So I just encourage everybody to please take advantage of that. Thank you. And thank you, Commissioner Saad for sitting on the Housing Element Advisory Committee and all your hard work on that. Moving on to Commissioner Luxenberg, do you have any communications? |
| 00:07:18.87 | Jeffery Luxenberg | The Parklet Working Group continues its work and still on the same schedule for late February, early month. |
| 00:07:28.28 | Kristina Feller | Right. Thank you so much. and Vice Chair Junius. |
| 00:07:32.77 | Andrew Junius | Thank you, Chair Feller. Last week I did touch on the odds, the objective standard, and let me give a little bit more detail so everybody gets a little clearer picture of schedule and exactly what's happening. so this is the city has engaged a really talented group at opticals these are the folks that put together the Marin and it's an excellent resource that we're going to be heavily relying on. So the actual work that OptiCoast is ready to do is probably not gonna start for a few more weeks. But after that, it picks up pretty quickly. We should have an administrative draft to look at within a month or so. And after that, that's a good question. you know, some decisions will be made as to how we want to use that and what type of I'm not sure. other work site visualization work and other types of implementation. that we're gonna take from the administrative draft. I will caution though that some of this, I think we're gonna, you know, Jim Moore's. I think that's a good question. we want to make sure we get the most out of this process so we will be trying to sync it up to some extent with some of the housing element work that's going on and some of the sequel work is there as well under the california farm on quality act so a lot of moving parts here, but it really is exciting to see this moving and, I think I've got extraordinary confidence in the Optico's team. They really seem sharp. And I think Chair Feller and I were very impressed with their ability to jump in and give us some direction answer our questions and so I'm very excited about that. And then just to follow up on city attorney Wagner's comments about the tree ordinance. I'm really happy that's moving forward. It's wonderful that the city council moving this as quickly as possible. And I also like the idea that that the there's not not much of a tweak is really needed to the municipal codes of make this a possibility. And the strategy looks like it's gonna be putting that's a good idea. putting the actual fee schedule in a resolution form. So it's a lot easier to adjust and change in the future as we figure out exactly how this is supposed to work. but it does look like there's a little bit of pressure on staff to figure out what the initial fees are supposed to be. Best of luck, Rosalind, on that one. That's my report, Chair Phillip. |
| 00:09:41.80 | Kristina Feller | Terrific, thank you so much. And thank you for diving in so deep into the objective design standards. It's a heavy lift and I really appreciate that, particularly with your perspective and background. Um, I would like to. ask if you would be willing to be the point person for the planning commission to liaise with staff to assist with any of the, further preparation for the tree fund. So we can get this through. |
| 00:10:12.39 | Andrew Junius | Without a doubt, I'm happy I'm here for you, Rosalyn. Just let me know when you want to talk. I definitely, I've got experience in other jurisdictions on this type of thing, so happy to help. |
| 00:10:21.12 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Vice Chair Junius. Um, I've got a couple items here, just a quick update on the sea level rise task force. There was a presentation that was given to our economic development advisory committee. two weeks ago. Um... and there was some good feedback and thoughts and ideas shared there nothing has been formulated at this time so I don't have anything to report on the the output specifically in terms of direction but the city has been working with the sea level rise task force through the department of public works through the geological hazard survey that DPW and director McGowan is working on to see if there's any common ground with adding in any elements related to sea level rise without uprooting that particular initiative. So more to come on that. I think that's an important thing for the planning commission to be aware of. And at the right time, I think that this commission should hear more about that and weigh in on that. Um, At the city council meeting last night, there was some discussion about grant funding and so on. And this commission in the past has given a long list of items and priorities. that we find critical for the ongoing function and capability for zoning ordinances, the municipal code and so on. And so I just, if you have not listened to that or were not present, I think that at some point at a future meeting, Principal Planner Thompson and Director Moore, we should maybe do a one-way communication to the commission and make sure that we have a full... full catchment of all those ideas again just to to assist the city council with their prioritization There's quite a lot that we've identified, including the downtown parking, a study, updating that and expanding that quite a bit. We've asked for updating the Sausalito Municipal Code, both in terms of the general plan update, completion as well as the landslide task force results for which we worked really hard and I know all of those recommendations were approved and ratified by the city council, but not a lot of it has been done yet. And those are becoming more pressing and I can go on, but I think maybe a one-way communication so you can harvest everyone's incredible ideas and minds would be helpful to, to assist with city council. Um, Let's see. I just, I don't want it to fall by the wayside, but at some point we need to get the Southern Marin Fire Department. to present to the planning commission and discuss a little bit more about evacuation routes and things that we need to be aware of also regarding preferred plantings and so on. And I think that's an also a really important opportunity for the, our community to listen in and be able to ask questions and get to learn a little bit more about what the plan really is. So I don't want that to fall by the wayside. Let's just keep that on our list of items to include in future agendas. And then you've heard me sort of bang on about this before so i'm gonna do it again but the issue of enforcement is really coming to a bit of a head in my opinion in the city, both in terms of just permits, but also the conditional use permit and the minor use permit. abiding by those. And we've previously asked EDAC to come and present to us a business and retail strategy so we have a better understanding of what you know, what they're envisioning for our commercial districts and mixed areas. And it reminded me even again at our last hearing and discussions about preferences or ideas you know, the character of Sausalito, that we really do need that critical piece of work. And if there's something we can do to assist EDAC We're happy to do that, but I know they've engaged with Cosmon in the past for certain areas. but we don't really have a business and retail strategy. And I think that that would be really helpful and insightful to this commission and I know others as well to really have a better better handle and understanding of the vision for Sausalito. So I would ask EDAC to come back and please present that to us. I think the last we've asked several times last year and I know they're busy as well but I think it's critical So that's pretty much all I have for tonight. And, um, If any of these need to be agendized by anybody's comments and input in a future agenda, then let's please do so. So the community has the opportunity to weigh in on this as well. |
| 00:15:41.57 | Kristina Feller | Okay, just by show of hands, does anybody have any additional Communications. on the commission or staff. Seeing none, let's go ahead and move on. and take public comments. on any of these communications. And Principal Planner Thompson, could I ask you to provide some instruction to those in the audience on how to do so. |
| 00:16:07.83 | Rozalynne Thompson | Chair Feller, video or audio public comment participation is limited to three minutes per speaker. If you'd like to make a comment, please raise your hand in the Zoom application, and you'll be called upon when it is your time to speak. To raise your hand from a phone, press star 9. Each speaker will be notified when the time has elapsed. |
| 00:16:29.01 | Kristina Feller | Thank you for that. And as we're looking for hands, if I could ask Maria to put the timer clock at three, not two. I think that was left over from last night's city council meeting. Okay. Um, I do not see any hands in the audience. So at this time I'm going to go close public comment on item number three, communications. And then open public comment for item four, public comments on any items not on the agenda this evening. And again, we're looking for raised hands either from the zoom application or star nine on your phone. |
| 00:17:06.23 | Kristina Feller | Okay, seeing none, I'm gonna close public comment on items not on this agenda. And we'll move on to item number five, which is approval of planning commission minutes. |
| 00:17:17.94 | Rozalynne Thompson | Mr. Chair Feller, at the time of preparation of this agenda, The minutes from the last meeting were not ready. So the commission will be receiving minutes from the ninth meeting and the 16th meeting at the March 2nd planning commission meeting. |
| 00:17:31.82 | Kristina Feller | Terrific. Thank you. Thank you for that update. Unless there is any comment, I'm going to move on to item number six, which is our public hearing. And I will hand that over to you, Principal Planner Thompson. |
| 00:17:47.07 | Rozalynne Thompson | Thank you, Chair Feller. The first item on our agenda is a public hearing for 240 Glenn Drive, a design review permit and heightened design review variance and encroachment agreement for a 460-square-foot detached garage, entry gate, and 62-square-foot addition to the master suite, a variance for relief from the 15-foot height limitation for accessory structures to allow the proposed garage to be 22 feet 8 inches in height, And a recommendation to the city council for approval of an encroachment agreement to allow a portion of the garage to occupy the right of way and to allow the installation of an entry gate. We have assistant planner Adam East that has a brief oral presentation for the commission. |
| 00:18:32.13 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:18:42.05 | Kristina Feller | Could we kindly unmute Planner East? There we go. I don't try now. Thank you. |
| 00:18:51.16 | Adam East | Can everyone hear me? |
| 00:18:52.36 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 00:18:53.19 | Adam East | Okay, great. Thanks so much. So thank you, Chair Feller and commissioners and Rosalind for that introduction. The applicant's request was first heard at the January 12, 2022, Planning Commission meeting where the item was continued. Date certain to this meeting. That gave the applicant an opportunity to revise portions of the design of the garage as well as submit a tree alteration permit for proposed tree work at that time. The applicant has since submitted revised designs in consideration of the commissioner's comments. I'm going to give a brief summary of those changes that have been made to the plans, and you can see them in your packets as well. Adam, can I interrupt you for a second? |
| 00:19:39.31 | Jim Moore | Thank you. |
| 00:19:39.32 | Adam East | Absolutely. |
| 00:19:40.45 | Jim Moore | I'm not sure. You are planning on sharing the desire to continue this, right? |
| 00:19:46.46 | Adam East | Yes, and I can do that upfront if that's the right. |
| 00:19:48.55 | Jim Moore | Yeah, I think it'd be more appropriate to explain that we're recommending the continuation and why. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:19:54.82 | Adam East | Thank you, Jim. Yes, so we will be recommending that this item be continued, date uncertain. While the application was re-noticed for this meeting, it was not noticed in the form of new story poles being installed to reflect the proposed changes to the garage. The garage is proposed to be moved back two feet and the orientation of the roof will be adjusted 90 degrees in consideration of those comments. So while the application itself was re-noticed for this meeting, new story polls have not been installed and re-certified. And such as that is a requirement, 10 days before the meeting, we are recommending that this item be continued for a date uncertain at the next meeting. |
| 00:20:38.69 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, thank you, Planner East, and thank you, Director Moore for that. I first just wanna ask the commissioners if they have any particular questions at this time. Again, what you see will be continued. Yes, Vice Chair Junius. |
| 00:20:58.21 | Andrew Junius | Chair Feller and staff, So can we, Is there a reason why we have to kind of start over with noticing? Can't we pick a date certain at this point where I think that applicant probably would like to know when they're coming back. But, I'd leave that to you. But if we could get a date certain, I think. A lot of people would appreciate that. |
| 00:21:17.42 | Jim Moore | So if I could recommend, Adam, correct me if I'm wrong. but it might be a little tight at your next meeting, second meeting out, I think it would suffice because they have to contract to get the polls up, get them certified, and then they have to be up for 10 days review. so it might be a little tight on the next meeting but the second meeting out if that's okay with the applicant, unless the applicant wants to push for The next coming meeting, Adam, is the applicant present? I think you asked him to be present, correct? |
| 00:21:47.72 | Adam East | The applicant is present and it looks like Ms. Lemke does have her hand raised here. Great. |
| 00:21:52.27 | Jim Moore | Thank you. |
| 00:21:52.82 | Adam East | Yeah. |
| 00:21:52.86 | Kristina Feller | Yes, we'll certainly allow the applicant to comment on this. So, Ms. Lumpke, we do see your hand. We will get to you in just a moment. I just want to get through if there are any other questions so again Just to be clear, the item is being continued because procedurally we did not have all the items in place for a complete hearing this evening, which is mainly the story polls and the proper opportunity for the rest of the community or neighbors or commissioners to really understand that the impact of that So we are continuing for that reason. And, um, Commissioner Luxenberg, did you have a question for staff? |
| 00:22:41.81 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I have a couple of questions. I don't know if I should let him proceed with what he was gonna say or whether I should ask him now, I... little confused about the process here but i'll go ahead and ask the question my first question was going to be i went by there today in anticipation this evening i didn't see new story polls so that was that question has been answered but i would like uh uh um mr east if you could when the story polls go up if you could send a photograph of those polls to the commission that would be helpful uh so that's the first question does that would that be possible once they go up |
| 00:23:18.29 | Adam East | Absolutely, I can do that, yes, sir. |
| 00:23:20.39 | Jeffery Luxenberg | And then the second is we had some correspondence related to this, related to a window on the side. And I wanted to know, given there'll be another four weeks here or whatever, if you could pursue with the applicant, maybe considering frosted glass for that window to solve that potential issue, or at least have that conversation. Is that something you could look into during this period? |
| 00:23:48.58 | Adam East | We can look into that as well. I did notice on the landscape plants and shrubs were planted in the direction of that, but we can certainly discuss frosted glass. If, are you mentioning privacy concerns with that window there? And can you- |
| 00:24:03.13 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah, it's just there seem to be privacy concerns and it's there are other windows in there. So it wouldn't be like all windows have to be frosted glass, just the one on that side. But if that can make a problem go away, I think that might be something to have a conversation with the applicant in this time. Thank you. |
| 00:24:22.40 | Adam East | Absolutely. |
| 00:24:23.01 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:24:23.80 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:24:24.09 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Those are my questions, Chair Powell. Thank you. |
| 00:24:26.18 | Kristina Feller | Thank you so much. Thank you for the questions and Just a point of privilege here. I just want to read out that as at my, count, we have six public comment items on the record and, um, If Planner East could please confirm that. We've got Alex, Moe, James, DeRimmer, John Stewart, Matt Singer, Wendy Jawor, and Nicole Bach. I don't know if anything else came through after the deadline to post. Okay. |
| 00:24:58.77 | Adam East | I've not received anything after the deadline, no. |
| 00:25:00.91 | Kristina Feller | Okay. All right. So I want to acknowledge. public comment has been received on this again we are continuing this item so there will be no action other than taking a motion to continue it this evening. but certainly want to allow for public comment and for the applicant to... to make any comment they would like to as well. So at this point let's, oh yes, Commissioner Saad, forgive me. |
| 00:25:35.54 | Nastassya Saad | No problem, thank you. Thank you, Chair Feller. I just wanted to ask one more follow-up on the window. And I think this did come from a public comment. Is staff's understanding uh that the window and i believe it's on the south elevation and this was part of the public comment from Nicole. Are we understanding that there is an existing window already. It seems that there isn't and that the intention is to create one, but I feel like some of the public comment. implied that they're THERE IS NO existing window. Can we just clarify on the plans? |
| 00:26:18.10 | Adam East | I can respond to that or the applicant can, whatever the preference, but I do not believe that there is an existing window there currently. I think what happened was on the original submittal, the design showed the proposed and existing plan side by side. With this most recent alteration, the existing carport was deleted from that. So in the title, it shows proposed and existing, but there is not currently an existing window there. |
| 00:26:42.72 | Nastassya Saad | Okay, thank you for the clarification. That's all I had, Chair Feller. Thank you. |
| 00:26:47.76 | Kristina Feller | Thank you for the question. Commissioner Graff, did you have any questions for staff? |
| 00:26:53.20 | Richard Graef | Um, no, it's been answered. I was wondering what was going to happen. because of the lack of story polls. So, yeah, I'm glad to see it's being continued and that that's going to be correct. |
| 00:27:07.51 | Kristina Feller | Right. Okay. Okay, well with that, I'm going to... go ahead and ask if it appears Ms. Lembke you are the applicant Um, Yes. If we could. Please unmute and share screen with Ms. Lumpke. I'm going to hand this over to you. Um, |
| 00:27:28.97 | Ms. Lemke | Bye. Thank you. Glad to be part of this. It was a misunderstanding. We didn't understand. We're not being negligent. We are really anxious to get this done. As you can see, anyone who's seen the status of this carport, it's falling down. It's dangerous. And so we didn't know that the story was going to happen. had to be done. No one told us. So we found out this afternoon and we're moving heaven and earth. have that march 2nd day we really we are moving heaven and earth to find someone who can do we have a small project and it's hard to find contractors on a short as you probably know you're hearing this all the time ours is very small so we um we've scheduled something for this weekend so that's sufficient let's go for march 2nd let's get this done. |
| 00:28:16.69 | Jim Moore | That's fine with us, Chair Feller. |
| 00:28:18.89 | Kristina Feller | Yes, outstanding. Thank you, Director Moore and Ms. Lemke. We certainly understand. And you indicate to us when you are when those are ready and available and will be noticed appropriately with enough time um and and we'll we'll go from there so we would certainly understand and and appreciate um appreciate the comments |
| 00:28:42.36 | Jim Moore | and, you know, the Thank you. Chair Feller, if I can. |
| 00:28:43.05 | Kristina Feller | THE FUTURE. |
| 00:28:45.11 | Jim Moore | And, and, um, We'll make sure that Planner East coordinates with you. So you're well aware of how many days they have to be up before the meeting Thank you. Right, right. |
| 00:28:57.08 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Great, thank you very much. Um, okay. So at this time, I'm going to open this item up for any public comment. To do so, if you could raise your hand in the Zoom application, or press star nine from your phone. |
| 00:29:14.46 | Kristina Feller | I do not see any public comment at this time. So I'm gonna go ahead and close, close that public comment on this item. Um... And I'm happy to entertain a motion. a motion to continue this item to, at this time it's gonna be a date uncertain until this applicant confirms and we will certainly move it to support their need. but it is a date uncertain as we don't know about the story polls. So could I entertain a motion? |
| 00:29:47.87 | Jeffery Luxenberg | So moved. |
| 00:29:48.88 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:29:50.16 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Can I ask a question? Why can't we just do it to a date certain, and then if it doesn't happen, it'll get re-noticed. If we do it to a date uncertain, it's the next meeting, we won't have adequate time. People will leave this meeting, the public who watches this meeting will think it's not happening on March 2nd. I would suggest we do it to a date certain. Tim Hart second. Yeah. |
| 00:30:14.31 | Kristina Feller | Well, I mean, this is what we did the last time and we didn't get the story full, so I'm just trying to give this applicant as much. we see you don't don't worry we see you as much leeway. So, you know, we're We're being flexible with them. We understand there are sense of urgency, but I believe that we don't know yet. |
| 00:30:38.36 | Jim Moore | Well, if I may, Chair Feller? Can you hear me okay? |
| 00:30:41.99 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 00:30:42.56 | Jim Moore | Yeah. So I think it could be a good way to go. The commissioner Luxembourg is suggesting in the sense that if it's not ready, we'll just continue it again, but it then puts it on the docket. We don't have to renotice it. The public's under the impression that it's going to happen. And I yield to, um, City Attorney Wagner, if you have any thoughts on this. Great, thank you. But we can notice it. |
| 00:31:04.23 | Rozalynne Thompson | but I, yeah. |
| 00:31:06.24 | Jim Moore | And then it's time certain. And if we don't meet the deadlines, then we're just going to have to continue it again. to the next state search. |
| 00:31:15.59 | Kristina Feller | Okay, so back to you, Vice Chair Junia, since the motion originated with you. |
| 00:31:21.17 | Andrew Junius | Actually, I think it would share with Commissioner Graff, if maybe Commissioner Graff would amend his motion. |
| 00:31:26.25 | Richard Graef | Yeah, that's fine. If we want to say March 2nd and And if it doesn't happen, you will reschedule. So yes, I'm fine with that revision. And I'll second that. |
| 00:31:39.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Principal Planner Thompson, could you please take the roll? |
| 00:31:43.97 | Rozalynne Thompson | Chair Feller Commissioner Graff. Ciao. Commissioner Luxembourg. |
| 00:31:48.96 | Jeffery Luxenberg | else. |
| 00:31:49.88 | Rozalynne Thompson | Commissioner Saad? Yes. Commissioner Vice Chair Junius. Yes. |
| 00:31:54.10 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yes. |
| 00:31:54.90 | Rozalynne Thompson | Chair Feller. Yes. Motion carries unanimously. |
| 00:31:59.11 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Let's move on to item number seven, which is a study session and principal planner Thompson, I'll hand this over to you. |
| 00:32:08.32 | Rozalynne Thompson | Thank you. Good evening Chair, Vice Chair and Commissioners. The study session item before your consideration tonight is a request for feedback on a potential proposal to modify an approved project located at 813 to 817 Bridgeway, also known as Lappert's Ice Cream and Fish and Chips. The purpose of this study session is to familiarize the planning commissioners and the public with the proposal and provide an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. As to the original project just to provide a timeline, the planning commission first considered the original project, which is a design review permit for a second story addition to an existing one-story commercial building and a request for a true removal permit to remove two protracted trees at its December 20th 2017 meeting to address some of the concerns expressed by the Planning Commission the item was continued to the February 21st 2018 and March 8th 2018 Planning Commission meetings the original project was approved at the March 2018 meeting. The applicant is requesting feedback on on on potential modifications and the applicant is in attendance to present the proposed modifications in detail. I will now turn it over to Michael Rex for his presentation. |
| 00:33:22.38 | Kristina Feller | Hold on. Forgive me, Principal Planner Thompson. Thank you for the update. I just want to make sure that if the commissioners have any questions for staff, they have the opportunity. to ask you. Commissioner Saad, do you have any questions for staff? |
| 00:33:36.14 | Nastassya Saad | None at this time, thank you, Chair Feller. |
| 00:33:38.21 | Kristina Feller | Commissioner Luxembourg? |
| 00:33:39.82 | Jeffery Luxenberg | The questions I have I think are better to be out of than to always. |
| 00:33:43.33 | Kristina Feller | Very well. And Commissioner Graff? |
| 00:33:47.51 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:33:47.65 | Richard Graef | questions now. |
| 00:33:49.35 | Kristina Feller | Vice Chair Junius. |
| 00:33:50.97 | Richard Graef | of its tenure. |
| 00:33:51.75 | Andrew Junius | Thank you. |
| 00:33:52.03 | Kristina Feller | I do not either. So thank you. Um, Mr. Rex, I think you are now a co-host, so you should be able to share screen and You'll have 15 minutes for the presentation. And if you need us to stop you or you wanna save time till the end, you know, just to let us know, but welcome this evening. And thank you for being here this evening. |
| 00:34:12.96 | Michael Rex | Good evening, commissioners and staff. I'm, I want to thank you for scheduling on a short notice this, study session we usually don't ask for study sessions but we really wanted to get your input before we had very far in planning Michael Eppert owns a property and he owns a number of businesses downtown. He's been a downtown. business owner for many, many years. Tonight with us is his son, Isaac Lappert, who is managing the restaurant and is keenly involved. And I also wanna thank Heidi for getting us on this study session and who initially set it up and Jim Moore, who's now carrying the ball. And also Roslyn Thompson, thank you for your staff report. So just by way of background, I'm the second architect on this project. John McCoy got the project approved and it's now under construction. You've probably seen all that superstructure out there, which is just staging. That's not going to be a building. They needed that structure to be able to have a place to work and put place materials. But Michael approached our office to do a different project, an adjunct to it, which is outdoor dining use. He has approval for tables and chairs out against the building, but he wanted to find a way to provide a nicer and broader use for outdoor dining. So he asked us to take a look at that. And when we began to look at that use and the possibilities for it, he expressed disappointment in how one accesses the restaurant that's under construction, the renovation of the restaurant. and even some disappointment with the appearance of the facade. And I guess, you know, he's had some second thoughts and he asked if I could take a look at it and offer any suggestions, which I did. And that's what brings us here tonight to look at two things, some enhancements to the facade that steers it more in the direction that he and Isaac would like to see it go. How to maybe look at an alternative for the customers to enter the restaurant. And then two different concepts for a sidewalk dining. So with that, I'm gonna share screen. I just want to alert you to the summary in your staff, in your packet here. I presume you see it on the screen. Yeah, it's kind of a bullet point and the description of the changes are |
| 00:37:04.02 | Rozalynne Thompson | Yeah. |
| 00:37:10.26 | Michael Rex | on the bottom of the first and then the second page. So you could kind of use that as a guide while I explain of, The next thing I want to show you is, a picture of what's there today. And this is from Google Street View, which is a 360 view. It's kind of handy, you can move it around. And the problems we're having right now is there steps up to three doors. Public doesn't know which door to go in and it definitely is not ADA. compliant, there's no way for a wheelchair to get inside That is what first precipitated the renovation. Um, There's some little rather thin arched eyebrows over the doors and I draw that attention to you because we'd like to keep them you for some reason they didn't make it on the approved drawings. And there's these planter boxes that are hanging off the wall. Michael, can I just throw me in a row? |
| 00:38:10.22 | Kristina Feller | I don't believe that we are looking for |
| 00:38:13.43 | Michael Rex | Oh, for goodness sakes. |
| 00:38:16.11 | Kristina Feller | I think we're looking still at your memo. |
| 00:38:19.27 | Michael Rex | Yep, all right. I guess I'll have to stop sharing. I thought it automatically opened, but it didn't. So here we go. |
| 00:38:23.33 | Kristina Feller | automatically. |
| 00:38:27.42 | Michael Rex | Now you can see it, right? |
| 00:38:29.00 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 00:38:29.07 | Michael Rex | Yes. |
| 00:38:30.39 | Kristina Feller | So you know, |
| 00:38:31.74 | Michael Rex | I'm really glad you interrupted me there. Ah, you're welcome. |
| 00:38:37.26 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 00:38:37.66 | Michael Rex | I want to point out a couple of crucial features. There's two street trees at each end of the storefront. And out in front is a street extension, a lamppost. And there's a parking meter over here. Other than that, it's a pretty wide street. and Uh, So, Let me switch to the drawings, okay? Oh, one thing I wanted to show you here, there's no parking. I got to back up a little bit. There's no parking in front of the Casa Madrona There's two parking spaces in front of the restaurant, okay? One direct parallel space, one directly in front, and one right here. So the parklet that is one option we're considering would replace those two off street or on street parking. Okay, so let's go to the plans. I'm going to... uh Stop sharing that and open the drawing. The first thing I wanna show you is that We're right next to the historic district. The Cosma drone next door is in the historic district, but we're outside of it. So that's why HPC is not involved in this discussion. But because we're in a historic, right, so close to a historic district, we wanted to be sensitive to the values and quality of that district. Um, So we also have good data to work with. We got the sidewalk here that's, this is a topographical map. It shows all the features in this sidewalk. So we got good base plans to work from so we know we can be accurate. And then I want to enlarge this to show you on the left, let me pull it up a little bit higher here. On the left is what exists with the three stairs, three doors and stairs on the right is what's been approved. And I can see why Michael Lappert and Isaac are disappointed with what they're currently beginning to build. The solution to get into the restaurant was to put in an elevator So if you were in a wheelchair, you'd have to go in this elevator through this exterior door and out in here. You have to go up 15 inches. You have to go into an elevator, go up 15 inches, which would drive some people crazy, I think. The other thing is, is it moves the door. This is the front door now, and you can't even see it, it's behind the wall. In fact, this whole area is recessed to the outdoors and there's two steps up to the front door most people go to the first door they see and they're going to see this door first and if they come in here they're trying to squeeze through a very tight dining area to get to the front counter order counter The other thing is there's a, the code requires a handrail that sticks out almost two feet past the bottom riser. So this handrail is going to stick out into this opening and be really awkward. But the worst part is that Michael and Isaac are losing almost a third of the most valuable part of their building, which is the area right within the storefront to circulation. And they're losing indoor seating. That seems like a shame. So he asked that we look at some alternatives, okay? And I was thinking if we're gonna do outdoor dining, maybe we can find an exterior way to put a ramp in. A person in a wheelchair doesn't have to go into an elevator to go up 15 inches And now the customers could find the front door. properly. So I'll go to the next one. What you see here is what exists today. It has kind of a thin cornice and the planter boxes hung on the wall and the three doors and the stairs. What is below here is what's been approved and under construction, okay? but, Here's the recess in this bay. That's a window in the elevator. And this drawing doesn't show, it shows the guard, the handrail, but that's not what has to be built. This handrail is gonna stick way out past this riser. It's gonna come halfway into that opening, very awkward. And, um, Upstairs we have what struck me kind of odd is here's the new second floor and the thin kind of roof line was repeated up at the top and then a rather heavy cornice was added at the middle. That's not my understanding of traditional architecture. Usually the cornice is at the top of the building and we have a band at mid level. Um, Isaac mentioned that he's really trying to capture more of a Caribbean kind of style here. This certainly didn't seem to fit that style. And then they talked about repeating these planter boxes hung on the wall And I just can't imagine how you access those and maintain them. And I'm not sure that they'll support hardy plants. So that was a questionable addition. So I went to did a research of Caribbean architecture, and I saw a theme throughout all the islands where the buildings tended to be kind of classical. They had heavy white trim on the corners and colored walls, painted walls. But you see cornices were at the top. There were balconies. They have trim at the corners, they have trim at the base, and the doorways and windows have a very broad white trim as well. We haven't picked a color to paint the building. probably wouldn't be as bright as some of these, but it might be a little more playful than a monochromatic color. So that was sort of a jumping off point. And so I did a quick sketch of what it could be. This shows the cornice up at the top, just a band right at the window sills, stucco trim, this would all be stucco on the building corners and over the arched openings. We left the little eyebrows over the openings, but we added a wrought iron bracket to support them. And we repeated a more decorative, more traditional looking a guardrail at the balcony, the new balcony up on the upper floor. We got rid of the planter boxes that are stuck on the wall and in place we put gas lamps, which would be colorful and pretty at night. And so that's what we'd like to propose. This is just a sketch, but we would draw it up and submit it as a formal application if you thought kindly about it. I also showed two small flagpoles. And the reason I did that is if you go through the Saucedo history, it was a tradition of buildings throughout town to have flagpoles. And I thought they would kind of mark this lower recess in the middle of the building and add a little light. Then we looked at the sidewalk cafe and Michael suggested a parklet and so I did a quick sketch of a parklet it left the four tables out in front and didn't change the entryway and it shows a hedge in a planter box around the perimeter and some some park benches at each end to kind of make it feel like an outdoor space those benches might look something like that and then freestanding tables with umbrellas over over them in between and then some some palm trees in large planter boxes and that but I I have to say I personally don't love parklets I think they look temporary they were fine for COVID when you couldn't have dining inside and we all wanted the restaurants to be able to survive the pandemic but as a permanent use they're long and narrow it's really awkward to serve food between the restaurant across a pedestrian circulation to the diners I can see hazards with somebody bumping a pedestrian with hot coffee and being scalded and it's just the other thing is is it puts diners and structures right next to a vehicle travel lane again it okay if it's temporary but is that a good idea and is it really safe for permanent use the standard is in Sausalito has been that structure should be at least three foot setback from a travel lane. The parklets put them right on the travel lane. So I thought, boy, Is there a better solution? And I like to harken back to, let me share screen one more time, to one you're very familiar with, where to go? |
| 00:48:16.66 | Kristina Feller | Mr. Rex, while you're doing that, just want to let you know you've got about a minute and a half left. |
| 00:48:20.78 | Michael Rex | All right, well, then I'll skip it. I'll go back to my plan. Hang on. here. Yeah. I was just, I was gonna show you the outdoor cafe that you approved for. Cafe Tutti, soon to be Cultivar, where instead of a parklet, we put the outdoor dining next to the restaurant and put the sidewalk next to the travel lane. So this would be an alternative where instead of putting people out here where the two parallel cars are, we just simply detour the sidewalk around it. This maintains a five foot sidewalk plus a curb without any obstructions. Um, and we've replant the trees in these corners and this would be a raised terrace at the level of the restaurant up 15 inches and here's a handicap ramp that's part of that very convenient the front door is dead center with some steps in the middle everyone can find the front door and then we don't have to go into an elevator 15 inches with a wheelchair and we get this cornerback for dining. We would prefer to present this instead of a parklet. And it seems if it worked at Cafe Tutti, it could work well here. And I think I have one more slide. What was that? So, |
| 00:49:52.04 | Kristina Feller | So, |
| 00:49:53.07 | Michael Rex | I'm out of time, right? |
| 00:49:54.04 | Kristina Feller | We're out of time, but I know there are going to be some questions here. Just so. |
| 00:49:58.62 | Michael Rex | Oh, the last thing I wanted to show you just really quick. Here without the parklet or the terrace solution, there is room to put a handicap ramp outside with steps at the end and coming up on the left and still have a five foot clearance. So I mentioned that as well because if we could get a ramp outside, we would modify what's under construction. |
| 00:50:28.28 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 00:50:28.32 | Michael Rex | at the entry. Thank you. |
| 00:50:30.29 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Mr. X. Don't go too far away. Let's stop sharing screen for just a moment. |
| 00:50:35.45 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 00:50:35.93 | Kristina Feller | And we might come back to some of those diagrams. |
| 00:50:39.24 | Michael Rex | Thank you. Yes. |
| 00:50:40.10 | Kristina Feller | And just, you know, as a point of clarification, both to the commission and those listening, at home or here on zoom this is a study session so there's no action to be taken by the Planning Commission this evening This is meant to engage in the conversation and solicit ideas and thoughts from the commission uh from the applicant and also from the public so just want to make sure we're orientated on that as well. Um, so I'm going to ask the commissioners if they have any questions for the applicant right now. And I see that Isaac Lappard has his hand raised, although he's part of the applicant team. he might need to be able to answer questions as well. So Zoom team, if we can make sure that he has the ability to answer some of these questions as well with his microphone. Commissioner Graff, let's start with you. |
| 00:51:36.12 | Richard Graef | Um, Thanks, Chair Feller. Well, my question really has to do with the Uh, expanded outdoor dining, either the parklet or the other concept, which I think is pretty strong. I was wondering, what happens with the I've forgotten whether there's actually a or with something coming out into the street, how is that going to affect the bike lane? |
| 00:52:11.80 | Michael Rex | You want me to answer? Yeah. whether it's a park or a terrace where the sidewalk is next to the travel lane, Those changes are only occupying with parallel cars park. But my claim isn't moving at all, but here's the good thing. You won't have car doors opening into the bike lane, so you resolve that issue. But also the bikes are kind of squeezed between the parklet and the vehicles. In other words, there's a vertical structure there. So by having a low sidewalk instead of a planter box and guardrail to protect the diners in a parklet, it's safer for the bikes. not to have a structure right next to them. |
| 00:53:00.73 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:53:00.93 | Michael Rex | Thank you. |
| 00:53:01.09 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:53:01.41 | Michael Rex | Mm-hmm. |
| 00:53:02.77 | Kristina Feller | Thank you Commissioner Graff. Do you have any additional questions at this time? Okay. Commissioner Luxenberg. |
| 00:53:11.36 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you Chair Fuller. I want to understand this process because I have some thoughts and questions but do we want to separate the thoughts and questions? Are we going to ask the questions and then give them guidance. Is that the idea? |
| 00:53:25.05 | Kristina Feller | or do it together. |
| 00:53:25.07 | Jeffery Luxenberg | We'll do it together. |
| 00:53:26.33 | Kristina Feller | put everything on the table right now. It's a study session, so anything goes. |
| 00:53:31.29 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Okay, so if I understand the last slide, you could, I like this idea of the ramp. You could build the ramp in either case. Is that correct? You still have five feet of clearance. from the rail. That's correct. |
| 00:53:46.97 | Michael Rex | works either way. that we're going to have The reason why we showed The ramp without expanded outdoor dining is that if you thought that the ramp outside actually could work. And that's why we drew it so carefully. That's a hard line drawing to prove it can. we can change the working drawings now and not be building that entry like it's been approved and because the projects under construction we would like to be able to begin to revise those drawings very quickly So I just wanted to show it can work outside and it's still so much better than what's planned currently and being done. |
| 00:54:28.03 | Jeffery Luxenberg | built. Okay, so I guess my comment, Chair Fellow, to the applicant is several. One, I like the idea of the changes in the facade because I think it better reflects the architecture and would work better. I like the idea of a ramp rather than having to go inside to that elevator. Having studied a lot over the last several months about parklets, however, I uh uh el portel is very different than this the the sidewalk cafe next to that building most of the people as they turn that corner are sort of aiming towards the ferry terminal and they walk out to it and that street is very quiet and they walk out in the street and they walk away from the building in this case this is a primary pedestrian corridor and as it's sort of obvious to me with that structure up there you have to walk around this thing now that would be what it would be like in the future that it is better to build the parklet and i understand the logistical issues of serving food but we do that in a lot of places in sausalito so i think it's better to have the parklet and I understand the logistical issues of serving food but we do that in a lot of places in Sausalito so I think it's better to have the parklet but I do agree that building the ramp would be a benefit to the building and there'll still be a five-foot clearance between the ramp and the parklet so those are my thoughts on this at this time Chair Powell |
| 00:55:52.15 | Kristina Feller | Excellent thoughts. Thank you. Thank you for that. Commissioner Saad. |
| 00:55:58.16 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you, Chair Feller. I was curious about the bike lane that's now been answered. So that's good to hear. I do think, from the redesign looking at the original plan of what was approved this this does seem like an improvement across the board I do also agree just in general and appreciate that it is so close to a historic district. So, you know, it's, Thank you for keeping that in mind as you design. I think the cornice makes a lot of sense the way it's been done as well. I am I'm a little bit in between on on either of the parklet or the Um, THE SECOND OPTION, I think they can both work and are both better than the current, um, CURRENT SITUATION, I was just curious if it's not a parklet and it's a raised terrace maybe even fellow Commissioner Luxembourg on his copy can help me understand. Does that take away any right of the public to use that space? Because I imagine the parklet with those two benches would be for anyone to come and sit. If it becomes the raised terrace, is that going to be specific only for the use of fish and chips? and LaBert's ice cream. |
| 00:57:18.70 | Michael Rex | I think the parklets in general, uh are limited to uh the diners but if if there was a desire to have some public seating uh you know i i suppose a section could be made available um uh even even at one end and maybe down at this north end that could become a bench perhaps or we could build a bench into the sidewalk a little bit here, where it'd be very friendly place to sit. You know, so it's, it's, it's the terrace itself isn't, dedicated to just the private use. I actually, I think some benches sort of cut right into these planners here would be ideal. for a little public amenity. Um, I think the raised portion actually... |
| 00:58:14.42 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:58:18.98 | Michael Rex | I've, puts it up at the restaurant level gives it a little bit of an overlook which would be a nice feature. |
| 00:58:30.15 | Nastassya Saad | I think just from the level of effort that's also going into the design, it looks like a welcoming space. I mean, I will say in terms of the existing and, Now with the construction aside, previously those tables are usually the outside dining that exists, those tables are pushed against the building, but it's a popular place. |
| 00:58:54.23 | Rozalynne Thompson | Yeah. |
| 00:58:54.84 | Nastassya Saad | As a pedestrian, when I go on my walks downtown, I actually often step into the street anyway. So I'm walking into the bike lane because the crowds that gather in that area, it does create congestion. So, I actually if I had to basically lean towards one of these two designs, I would go with the, Um, with the raised terrace, because I think it creates a little bit of a enclosed separation and you're not walking back and forth. I mean, that parklet that they have downtown in front of Venice, It works. but there's also not a lot of it doesn't seem to be the same level of food service that I do see when I'm going past 813 to 817 so I think that would be my preference. just to give you my opinion on option two on the raised Terrace. And it's good to hear, of course, wheelchair access can be solved in that regard. I also don't disagree with you that the planners don't really make any sense on the top. Although I think some type of, Um, on that guardrail, if you could just go right where you were um, I think a few more slides. Yes, right there. Sorry, one, two back. |
| 01:00:13.49 | Michael Rex | in the park, right? |
| 01:00:13.73 | Nastassya Saad | partlet. And your initial sketch, not the partlet, but the right there. So eliminating those planters also makes sense. It would be nice to see some form of. decoration of flowers maybe on that guardrail just to round out that look. but I think those looking originally at those planters, they need to be eliminated anyway, as you say, they're inaccessible. And The last question I had, which wasn't mentioned in the presentation, but it is on the document and I don't, I can't see the connection, but I just want to get it on the record and understand. Is this possibly new housing in the future? Item D. Does any of that discussion have anything to do right now with this discussion on the design? or is that a totally separate item in your in the design of what we're looking at right now. |
| 01:01:14.55 | Michael Rex | I'm glad you brought that up. Actually, Jim Moore mentioned it. He said, wow, look at that empty lot. or the back part of your lot, and there's tall buildings on each side with almost no windows. Why aren't you putting housing up there? for putting in an elevator. The purpose of the elevator wasn't just to get a wheelchair in the building up 15 inches. The restrooms are going to be placed, the handicapped restrooms will be up on the upper floor because there's no room on the ground floor. And Jim asked if, That elevator couldn't serve some units in the back. |
| 01:01:53.11 | Unknown | and, |
| 01:01:53.19 | Michael Rex | And I mentioned that to Michael Lappert And, um, He's a little worried about that it would cause a pretty significant revision to the current construction project, which might disrupt the flow of construction. He was also concerned about the kind of cost it would take to build up there because the access is so difficult. And access to build and not just to get to it by occupants. And that would take quite some wealth to accomplish it, to build up there on that steep slope, but he didn't preclude it. And in fact, he would like us to explore that option as a separate project. If we could somehow keep the option open for access with the elevator, it's something we can look at. I haven't studied that at all. I think the restrooms are gonna be in the way actually, There was even some talk about access from up behind. I don't know. So it's not a bad idea. The question is, is it feasible? And can you get enough units to make it affordable? One or two units that there would probably cost so much you couldn't rent it enough. for what it cost to build. So those are big ifs. But Michael asks that we take a harder look at it. But maybe as a future face. |
| 01:03:27.10 | Jim Moore | Can I add something to the discussion here? First of all, Commissioner Saad, thank you so much for your eagle eye and finding that. And I'm glad that it wasn't part of tonight's discussion. So we probably should have included that if it was going to be, but just for a sort of point of order, you know, this housing element round we not only have to rezone and designate the proper zoning for an opportunity site, we have to have owners buy-in. This is totally different than the last housing element update. So I'm just doing my due diligence to reach out to property owners and ask them if there's any opportunity on their site to explore housing to please do think positively about it and We're open to entertaining I'm not sure. Any... possibility of housing anywhere in the town to meet our arena right now of course it all has to go through review and whatnot but again this arena cycle is different because we have to have realistic sites where the owners are game to producing the housing also. So I just wanted to add that clarification. Thank you very much. |
| 01:04:29.54 | Michael Rex | Well, Michael didn't say no. So I think, Jim, he planted a seed and we're going to see if it'll grow, okay? |
| 01:04:38.82 | Unknown | but |
| 01:04:39.91 | Michael Rex | Can I ask a question in that regard? |
| 01:04:42.02 | Jeffery Luxenberg | in front of John Malkovich On the street behind. |
| 01:04:46.16 | Michael Rex | I'm not a kite. Thank you. There's a home up behind. I see. Okay. Michael asked that we, you know, take a look at if there's any way to get access around the home or something. Because obviously if you get access from above, it would be a lot more appropriate and realistic. And that's something we'll take a harder look at. I really don't know. I haven't been up there to study it. |
| 01:04:50.93 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah. |
| 01:05:14.09 | Michael Rex | Okay, thank you. |
| 01:05:14.68 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Saad for the original question on housing and Director Moore. Commissioner Luxenberg. Um, let me ask vice chair Junius questions, thoughts, ideas for, for the applicant here. |
| 01:05:28.65 | Andrew Junius | Yeah, thank you, Chair Feller. Just a quick observation. always interesting to me to see a project under construction that's trying to get changes on the I wish you the best Mr. Rex. I hope this all fits together. I'm not sure. And then one kind of, you know, I hate to bring this up, but I'm going to bring it up anyway. So. As I understand it, and the staff probably can answer this one pretty quickly, the two mature trees on either side of the property that they've been basically approved for removal They look Mature, healthy, They seem out of the way to me. Gosh, I really hate to see Thank you. I'm not sure. available. |
| 01:06:06.48 | Jim Moore | I don't know that, Roz, do you have any insight on that? |
| 01:06:13.15 | Rozalynne Thompson | I need to take a look at the staff report and I can get back to you. Let me research that issue. |
| 01:06:19.02 | Jim Moore | And maybe Michael, you know that answer to that, |
| 01:06:22.26 | Michael Rex | Well, in fact, let me go back to that photo. I think you'll see that uh... Those trees look pretty darn healthy. A lot of the trees aren't downtown, but these seem pretty healthy. I don't know what the arborist would say, |
| 01:06:42.61 | Unknown | to. |
| 01:06:42.98 | Michael Rex | They look pretty pretty good there. If we go back to the plan a second, Um, I have to jump around, sorry. uh, In the parklet, these are the two trees. They stay right where they are. If we inserted the handicap ramp, Uh, Then we go down to that. Um, the trees didn't move or five feet from the tree or even further from this one. So that was good. On the terrace design, I actually replaced the trees with two palm trees and I put them, although they don't have to be a palm tree, they could be a street tree. And then they could be the new species at the town's planning downtown. |
| 01:07:31.40 | Jim Moore | Yeah. Yeah. Can I jump in for a second? Michael, are you saying that those trees would be planted exactly where the two existing trees exist? |
| 01:07:35.08 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 01:07:39.72 | Michael Rex | No, I don't know if, let me see if I can get a spotlight here. No, I can't. Can you see my little hand here? |
| 01:07:47.99 | Jim Moore | Thank you. |
| 01:07:48.02 | Andrew Junius | Yeah. |
| 01:07:48.04 | Jim Moore | . Thank you. |
| 01:07:48.37 | Andrew Junius | Thank you. |
| 01:07:48.39 | Jim Moore | can. |
| 01:07:48.78 | Michael Rex | There's where the tree is right now. |
| 01:07:51.39 | Jim Moore | I got it. |
| 01:07:51.72 | Michael Rex | Good. |
| 01:07:51.80 | Jim Moore | Thank you. |
| 01:07:52.19 | Michael Rex | of and the tree well. And this tree well, boy, I didn't dot it in. I think I'm not sure where that tree well is offhand. |
| 01:08:03.16 | Jim Moore | Well, it would be symmetrical with the one you pointed out to the left, wouldn't it? Well, it's probably right here then. |
| 01:08:03.21 | Michael Rex | Well, I wish. |
| 01:08:06.90 | Michael Rex | Well, it's probably right here then. I wasn't saving those trees in the outdoor terraces option. I was planting new trees in these corners up at the height of the terrace, because the problem is, is how do you raise the terrace and keep the trees down 15 inches lower? Very awkward. So here I was planting new trees. I showed palm trees, but if the city wanted their standard street tree, which makes sense, they would be the new species that they're planting downtown, which are more hardy and less prone to disease. |
| 01:08:42.09 | Andrew Junius | Great, thank you. Go ahead, Ross, go ahead, please. |
| 01:08:42.17 | Rozalynne Thompson | Great. |
| 01:08:43.69 | Michael Rex | Thank you. |
| 01:08:44.33 | Rozalynne Thompson | THE FAMILY. Thank you. Yeah, so Vice-year Junia, so your question was, which trees were the trees slated for removal under the tree removal permit that was issued? Yes. |
| 01:08:56.11 | Andrew Junius | Yes. |
| 01:08:56.97 | Rozalynne Thompson | Okay, so there are two trees in the rear of the building. So not the rear trees. |
| 01:09:00.14 | Andrew Junius | Ah, the Rear trees, okay, fantastic. That's great news because now we can, I mean, I hate, I'm not gonna make your life more complicated than it needs to be, Mr. X, Boy, those are mature trees. Usually when I've seen, people come in this situation to remove a tree is because They can't build the building with the tree there. There's a, you know, whatever. But in this case, the trees seem to flank existing buildings. they're, they're healthy I really hope there's a way to save those trees. I love palm trees too. And I like what you're doing a lot here, but boy, I would certainly, continue to Try to figure out how to save those trees no matter what you do. So that's that one. I think the parklet versus I'm gonna call it more of a like extension of the sidewalks conversation is a really interesting one. when I definitely can see both sides of this. I have a lot of experience in the city with parklets To your point, Mr. X, I know exactly what you mean. Sitting on the edge of a parklet, there's a piece of plywood between you and 45 mile an hour traffic is a bit, So there's a lot of That's an excellent point. I'm glad you raised it. Um, I also see Commissioner Luxenberg's point to some extent you know, you're choosing, you know, when you wrap the diagram we're looking at right now, when you wrap the sidewalk around the, the dining area. Thank you. you know, pushing pedestrians to walk near the traffic. So it's really a tough one, six and one kind of half a dozen of the other. and I didn't necessarily resolve that tonight, I'm not sure. Gosh, this is a really tough one. First off, I really applaud you for trying to rationalize the front of the building and get rid of the, the janky kind of weird |
| 01:10:50.30 | Andrew Junius | to do. to the middle of the building are much more appropriate but boy, this is a real tough one. Okay. I personally think I like what I'm looking at right here, generally speaking. I agree that the parklet idea seems more of a triage kind of thing. It doesn't. You know, there it is, yeah. You know, I like the idea, generally speaking, but I also think that you know, if the owner here is willing to. to pursue a much more permanent solution by expanding the sidewalk in a more rational way, it'll look better, it'll last longer. I think it's a good thing. but I think that's a little bit heavier lift, maybe even a lot of heavier lift than what we're looking at here. So. Those are my thoughts. A lot of decisions to make here. So my thoughts, thank you, Chair Feller. |
| 01:11:39.12 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Vice Chair Janice. So I just had a couple questions to just start off with because in Mr. Rexon, some of these diagrams and some of these drawings, you're showing the light pole, power pole, and some that you aren't. And it seems to me like I understand the idea of the ramp and an elevator for 15 inches. I get it. You know, that's seems like agony to have to deal with that. but does this ramp really work because, um, I'm not seeing where the that critical piece of infrastructure is that We don't have the opportunity to move. |
| 01:12:18.43 | Michael Rex | Yeah, here's a, Here's the two trees. This is the parking meter. If we put it in a parklet, you wouldn't have a meter. I imagine that meter could move a little bit. The meter pole is four foot six. This is where the light pole is, and that's three foot eight. uh, And so while we have more than five foot every, most of it's five foot eight plus the six inch curb. Okay. At the tree, it's five feet to the handrail. The one place that's really constricted uh less than five feet is right at that light stanchion um if we do a parklet we could move that light stanchion further out In fact, the reason the light stands for where it is is because this is a parking space and car doors open. But one thought is we could and we pay for it is to move the parking. If we did nothing, just put the ramp in because it's a better way to get into the restaurant. We could move the stanchion right over to here where my little hand is. |
| 01:13:31.41 | Unknown | Mm-hmm. |
| 01:13:31.97 | Michael Rex | and be five foot away from this railing or even more. and wouldn't really change its light pattern much. It just kind of moves it from this end of the restaurant to this end. And that's a small expense compared to having to regain this whole part of our storefront for dining and people to have a good way to get in and out of the building. So if the code allows a restriction of this sort, but you at, when in the Langston building, the commission asks that we go beyond the code minimum, you want it five foot clear everywhere. And so we could do that by just simply moving the stanchion over to here. if that was desired. And it'd be worth it to us to do that to get the improved access into the restaurant. |
| 01:14:21.16 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 01:14:21.95 | Michael Rex | Aha. |
| 01:14:22.17 | Kristina Feller | you Appreciate that. Yeah. |
| 01:14:23.94 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 01:14:25.39 | Kristina Feller | I'm going to go ahead You know, there's not necessarily a standard throughout Sausalito, but in this part of Bridgeway and these sidewalks in downtowns, the tree grates are actually like a metal grate. They're not solid. And there's some ADA issues with that. that we have noticed and so typically we take the dimension off the grate not off the tree |
| 01:14:52.76 | Michael Rex | Yeah, we didn't do that before, even on the Langston building. We had a long discussion for the Langston project about that. And we showed you at Cafe Tutti that if you get the grade absolutely flush and it has very small openings, there's no issue with ADA or pedestrians. In fact, at Cafe Tutti you walk right over the grate and that's what was approved for Langsom. it was the distance between guard rails and and the tree that was important so that would be a new standard that you're describing now and i i think there is just no problem whatsoever with ada if you pick the right grade And that's, of course, what we do. |
| 01:15:40.42 | Kristina Feller | So you would replace the grades? |
| 01:15:43.35 | Michael Rex | Yeah, at Langsom we proposed using exactly the same grade as Cafe Tutti. that would be a benefit to create some continuity downtown and they look beautiful. And they're completely flat. They're flush with the sidewalk. They have very small openings. And they also fit in a Stark District that is a wrought iron kind of style. And that's what we propose here. Just a great continuity as well as good access. |
| 01:16:09.83 | Kristina Feller | Okay, okay. |
| 01:16:10.68 | Michael Rex | in. |
| 01:16:11.67 | Kristina Feller | And then I'm not sure. How many What's the occupancy of the existing fish and chips? |
| 01:16:21.14 | Michael Rex | Did I say Cafe Tutti? I meant Poggio. I think I said Cafe Tutti, didn't I? |
| 01:16:27.64 | Kristina Feller | You did? |
| 01:16:28.38 | Michael Rex | No, I'm sorry. The grade I was describing is that Pojo's |
| 01:16:33.69 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 01:16:34.25 | Michael Rex | you Yeah, sorry for that confusion. |
| 01:16:36.14 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. That's okay. We appreciate you correcting it. I know. Yeah. There's a lot going on in downtown and I know you're busy down there. |
| 01:16:39.67 | Michael Rex | Yeah. . Go ahead, what was your other question? |
| 01:16:46.92 | Kristina Feller | So the other question is the occupancy in the fish and chips currently the existing occupancy in there. |
| 01:16:54.08 | Michael Rex | Oh, because this has been John McCoy's project and we're not really getting involved in the interior other than trying to improve the access. I really don't know. I know Michael was very upset that he lost seating inside. Partly why he's trying to get more seating outside by this recess in the building. But I don't know what his occupancy is. |
| 01:17:14.33 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:17:14.38 | Kristina Feller | you |
| 01:17:18.50 | Kristina Feller | I'm not sure. Yeah. |
| 01:17:19.52 | Michael Rex | Thank you. |
| 01:17:20.05 | Kristina Feller | I mean, it appears to be less than 50. |
| 01:17:23.36 | Michael Rex | Oh, I'm sure it's less than 50. Um, But I asked Michael, does he need two exits? And because the plan shows two stairways, I really wondered why you have two stairways, plus an elevator, my goodness. And he said he was told he needed two stairways and two exits, but I don't see the occupancy at 50, actually it's 49. Anything over 49 requires two. So, If it was, then the doorways would have to swing out. So I have to say, I really don't understand this, but I haven't been asked to redesign the interior. That's a question for John McCoy, I guess. |
| 01:18:01.00 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 01:18:05.78 | Kristina Feller | So the other, one of the reasons I'm asking that is it looks like Um, the I mean, the use is obviously still staying food and beverage, but the occupancy and the amount of kitchen and service area is going to be over double. And, and, you know, as this is just a study session, I'm frankly not wild about either idea on the sidewalk. you know, and some of it has to do, and I'm not trying to penalize a business or this is just a conversation here, but part of the issues you're, you're, you're, you're, you're And as you probably heard in our communications at the beginning of this hearing, Um, the Parklet working group is about to present to the city council and and you know so we don't know exactly what's going to happen in terms of parklets and where they're going to fall on some of this. But there's certain parts of town that works really well and certain parts that there aren't. This part of Bridgeway is not an excellent place, obviously, because there's, you know, just a lot of commotion, as we all know, since we all live here. but also because of certain sight lines and you're right near, in essence, a loading area for the hotel. Oh, And so sight lines, you know, crossing bike lanes to get over, you know, it just it starts to create a little bit more that's something that we really need to think about and grapple with. And then the option for the sort of just extending into the directly into the sidewalk and rerouting the pedestrian route, I would I would not support that because from an urban planning standpoint in this district this area. And I'm not talking historic district or not historic district. but circulation, wayfinding, Um, the amount of traffic we get is something That is pretty substantial. And, um, I think interrupting that without a really, really good legitimate reason is not something that I think we should endorse because then we're setting a precedent And we don't want sidewalks jogging all over the place as well. I totally... understand where you're coming from and looking at that. and certainly leaving no stone unturned. But, um... I don't think that that is a great solution for this part of Sausalito. Um, and I would probably not be very supportive of it. Although I respect the idea and the effort. that went behind it. |
| 01:21:02.87 | Michael Rex | Yeah, let me respond if I may. In terms of sight lines, I currently have Park Carson right there. And whether it's a parklet or parked cars, you know, you gotta look around one or the other. If you go to the terrorist solution, Actually, the parklet, the dining is pulled back away from the travel lane. and now your sight lines are much improved. Um, I also want to point out that this is not the busiest part of the sidewalks downtown. We're kind of at the, northern end of the downtown district. In fact, we're second to the last commercial use. And so the foot traffic down at this end of town is rather limited. And so it's not as congested of a sidewalk area as elsewhere downtown. But I think another thing, we're talking about the future and or should plan for the future, I should say. And I don't know if you read Dick Spotsworth's opinion piece a week or so ago, but he had a really great point. He said that if our downtowns are gonna survive, they have to become a destination. It used to be to go downtown to window shop and purchase retail items. But now with online purchasing really becoming so popular, retail is really gonna struggle. So we have to create a reason to be downtown that's different. When you shop online, you don't get to enjoy your sense of community, you're isolated. |
| 01:22:39.19 | Rozalynne Thompson | Thank you. |
| 01:22:39.22 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:22:39.32 | Rozalynne Thompson | Thank you. |
| 01:22:40.96 | Michael Rex | So people still want to go downtown. but they have to have a good reason. I think if we want our downtown to survive in this new economic paradigm, I think Dick's Potswurst was really pointing something out. And the town's headed that way. That's why we're trying to improve the ferry landing. We're looking at lot one for more pedestrian use or at least a portion of it. We're trying to convert the B of A into an art center Look at the improvements you approved at the Saucedo Hotel. I think to the extent that we start putting people out where our customers and all of us can see folks enjoying themselves. outside, along the street. It's gonna enliven the whole town. And so, yes, there's trade-offs. but maybe this kind of changes where we need to head. I'd like you to consider that point of view. |
| 01:23:44.07 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. And I always, you know, I certainly don't have all the answers and always appreciate these kinds of study sessions because you can actually share those ideas and really think about it and consider different perspectives. Um, But I just, I wanted to understand because your existing Um, approval, even though I understand it has, it has its flaws and there's some interest in changing that. Um, is supporting a very different sized business. So I wanna make sure that the business is still going to be viable with what's already approved and is not relying upon either for let's just call it the outdoor uh, seating areas, regardless of sidewalk or parklet or whatever it might be. So that's a question that I think Yeah. |
| 01:24:38.27 | Michael Rex | I think there's a misconception about what's been approved. I'm not aware that the use is expanding. They are adding a second floor, but the uses on the second floor are handicap restroom, storage, and office. There's no customers up there except those using the restroom. And on the left here is the existing layout, and on the right, the proposed layout. And the kitchen area is almost identical. What we're adding here is elevators and stairways. And if you look up above, there's a plumbing chart and it says occupancy load. 15 people And then the service, there's a total of 17 people there |
| 01:25:24.60 | Unknown | Uh-huh. |
| 01:25:24.68 | Michael Rex | That's not a big use. So I don't think what's been approved is expanding in any significant way the use of the property. |
| 01:25:35.08 | Kristina Feller | No, forgive me. I probably didn't articulate that well. I agree what's been approved does not, but what you're proposing, does. |
| 01:25:44.04 | Michael Rex | Oh, with the outdoor dining. |
| 01:25:45.64 | Kristina Feller | Yeah. |
| 01:25:46.38 | Michael Rex | Yes, well, that's true. No question of that. |
| 01:25:50.67 | Kristina Feller | you |
| 01:25:50.74 | Michael Rex | And the tradeoff is adding more life to the street and activity. At that time. |
| 01:25:55.61 | Kristina Feller | Yes. Has there been any look at how, you know, if you had, if, if your client had all this additional seating outside, whether or not the the approved kitchen, whatever that is. actually can support that business. |
| 01:26:17.64 | Michael Rex | That should be a question for Isaac. He's here. He's familiar with the operation better than I am. Could I ask him to respond? |
| 01:26:26.16 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. If Mr. Lappert, if the Zoom team can help unmute Isaac Lappert, if we could answer that one question, that would be helpful. |
| 01:26:43.27 | Kristina Feller | Zoom team, can we help Mr. Laffer on mute. There we go. |
| 01:26:52.15 | Isaac Lappert | Hey there. I think, can everyone hear me? |
| 01:26:56.19 | Kristina Feller | We can, we can welcome. |
| 01:26:58.14 | Isaac Lappert | Hey, all right, thanks. I'm not used to Zoom. Yeah, the good news about our operation is that... We're just frying fish and making burgers, so it's We can easily keep up with any additional table seating and Yeah, it's no problem. |
| 01:27:14.25 | Kristina Feller | Okay, thank you. Thank you for that. |
| 01:27:16.72 | Isaac Lappert | THE FAMILY. |
| 01:27:16.80 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 01:27:16.90 | Isaac Lappert | Thank you. |
| 01:27:17.73 | Kristina Feller | Don't go too far because we will open this up again for public comment. unless the commissioners have any more questions for the applicant at this time Nope. OK. Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and open this up for public comment. To do so, if you could raise your hand in the Zoom application. or press star nine on your cell phone. So I'm just looking for raised hands other than Mr. Lappards. Cause since he's the applicant. part of the applicant team. Okay, seeing none, I'm gonna go ahead and close public comment at this time. and bring it back up to the commissioners for any further discussion. Um, At this time, I also would like to ask the applicant to come back up on the screen, Mr. Rex, if you don't mind. I want to be clear. as we have further discussion here that we are providing you with enough input. that you get your questions answered, that any comments or anything that we're able to respond to that since this is a study session, it is not a design review at this time. and that there is clarity with what you walk away with today. So Commissioner Saad, do you want to start us off? |
| 01:28:44.90 | Rozalynne Thompson | Thank you. |
| 01:28:44.94 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 01:28:50.29 | Nastassya Saad | Sure, I think all my fellow commissioners have made some really good points. I THINK I AM A... I'm a proponent of the parklets and the outside dining in general. I don't disagree with you, Chair Feller. My initial reaction when I saw the plans, it just didn't seem necessarily like, the best place for it. I do disagree slightly with Mr. Rex, just in terms of the foot traffic. And it's great. It's great to see a business thrive. But I find that location to have quite a lot of foot traffic. A lot of people waiting to get in. It's a small space. It's kind of a grab and go since there's such limited seating. IN THAT REGARD, I THINK I I do appreciate the idea of an outdoor dining space. in that area, mostly to also free up some of the, just some of the foot congestion along that area. You know, it's, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A I love that spot. So you wait for your fish and chips, you're standing outside, kids on bikes. I mean, it's just a tight area. And, um, I think the main reason probably given the location that I would lean towards the the terrace, if we're calling it that terrace, really is because You've got a lot of professional cyclists whizzing on by. You've got cars. You have tourists that have no idea what they're doing on the bikes. I mean, it's just... it's a hard area to navigate on Bridgeway as a pedestrian, as a cyclist, as a tourist, as a local. And so I feel like the protection of the, Harris it just seems to offer more protection to me. And then I appreciate that the concept, if I understood correctly, is that you don't have people kind of crossing into foot traffic. So that's why, If these were before us, as a design review, I would lean towards that. I would lean towards the terrace. Otherwise, I just appreciate the redesign as a look. I think the look and feel is better. But I think just from a safety perspective and a circulation perspective, that the terrorists, um, just makes a little bit more sense to me than the parklet. And I would love that if the applicant I'm not sure what the indicator would be to a TO A or someone passing by that it could be open to the public if you do add those benches, because it may look like it's totally part of the restaurant, but for all that effort with those, Palm trees, the planting. It's gonna be a lot of effort to go into that. So it would be really nice for the public to. be able to sit if they could. And I would appreciate seeing those benches as you, as you mentioned, Mr. Rex, I think that'd be a nice addition. So that's sort of where I am right now. |
| 01:32:06.58 | Kristina Feller | Any comments on the architecture or any other items? |
| 01:32:11.27 | Nastassya Saad | No, I like the flags as well. I know it's a small detail, but I actually think they really complement the history of downtown and just from the look and feel. I personally am so partial to the current color. I know we're not discussing that necessarily, but just to throw it out there, I think that. I think that is a nice thing. It's nice to see something not. It's like it's one of the nicest color downtown. THE buildings in my personal opinion um i think kind of goes for that caribbean vibe but no i think the i think the design with the um removing those planters and the way it looks. I think it looks really nice. I like the rails as well. |
| 01:32:51.73 | Kristina Feller | Great, thank you, Commissioner Saad. Commissioner Luxenberg. |
| 01:32:56.48 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you Chair Feller. I appreciate everybody's comments. I think the terrorists would be more attractive, but I think the terrorists would be private. I mean, it's raised off the ground. You would only go up there if you were eating at the restaurant, you couldn't stop there. I think the parklet is more public i think that the uh i disagree with mr rex about uh pedestrian traffic there are a lot of people that walk to the caledonia part of sausalito both on bridgeway and on caledonia and they they they go through that space there's traffic there all day long it's not as crowded as the langston building absolutely but there's a lot of people walking by and uh people walking by now walking either trying to walk through the tables that are there or around on the wood thin. I think it disrupts the flow and as much as the terrace would be more attractive, I think that for pedestrian flow and for, you know, and there is a bike lane which will protect both the the the diners and or the pedestrians so it's not like the the roads right there and to disagree with mr junius that the uh commissioner junius the the speed on bridgeway is supposed to be 25 miles an hour not 45. so i want to get that out there that we don't encourage anybody driving 45 there although i although I'm sure some people do. But that issue aside, I think the architecture change is great. I do think the ramp should happen. And I know Mr. Rex hardlined that one. So I mean, I encourage the ramp because I think whichever way it ends up, that that's important. I do think the white pole should be moved. I do agree with Commissioner Juniors we should save those trees. So whether they built the outdoor dining around them or whether they build the parklet and it saves them, but I don't think the trees should go. I don't see any justification to taking out the street trees. I'm believing that the trees that were approved are the ones we saw in the photograph up on the hill. I don you know, as much as I think that, you know, it's not a park that isn't as attractive, I think in this part of Bridgeway, if we're going to have outdoor dining uh that would be here i do also worry that the approval for the inside i know mr rex is not part of that uh for the dishwashing and all that i'm sure they can handle the flow of how much uh food to make but there are building they're building department requirements for uh for a number of seats and so uh i think somebody needs to look at that uh in that in that regard just to make sure i know that the the uh mr lapper can handle the uh handle what the loan is going to be but uh we also have to look at it from a building department point of view. So I just want to make sure that that box is checked, so to speak. Anyway, those are my thoughts at the moment. Thank you, Chair Miller. |
| 01:36:02.96 | Kristina Feller | you |
| 01:36:07.37 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Thank you so much. for that detail as well. Um, Commissioner Graff. |
| 01:36:15.40 | Richard Graef | Oh, thank you, Chair Feller. Well, let's see. Generally, I think the attempt to get more seating outside Lafferch there is a great idea. I think it's really needed. It's kind of a sad situation there. As it is. So I'm in support of additional seating. Um, I prefer the terrorist concept. personally. I think it's really, much better for the customers and they don't have to cross the pedestrian traffic. Um, And of course, the ramp is, I totally support the ramp idea, and that buys a lot of space inside. Very good. Um, They, um... As far as circulation around there goes, I understand, and this is a study session, so we're still pretty loose. that those existing trees are really quite nice And whatever solution gets developed, are over there. I... Bye. would be good to try to maintain those trees. the the terrorist idea of might be more difficult. to do, keeping them. but might consider the tariffs being, you know, less symmetrical, maybe it's, maybe it's not exactly 100% symmetrical with the building and everything. and I could afford to wiggle around a little bit. I also think that perhaps with the terrorists Um, where the sidewalk jogs around that those little curves are a little tight. from what I'm looking at. And possibly there was a more diagonal cutoff there and a little more It might be better. because I agree with Commissioner Saad that place does get pretty crowded. So I'd like to Thank you. um, of the applicant to look at that circulation Architecturally, I think, you know, what, Mr. Rex is proposing is right on. much improved, Uh, elevation. I even like the flagpole so I think that direction is that sort of Caribbean concept with the white trim. I like that a lot. I think it's smart. . It'd make a big difference there, really livening up that building. Um, So yeah, the power pole, the trees, all of those little moving or not so moving parts, are part of that puzzle, but I really like the the direction the project is going. and I'm sure that we'll be looking at a much more resolve. Um, solutions. somewhere down the line. So anyway, yeah, I like the I like the concept. No. I do have Just a point of order. um Usually we, and maybe this is commissioned, but usually we we have the questions to the applicants and they're really sort of questions about what's not understood or what nother. And we're not getting into our opinions and evaluations. There were other questions. We seem to be drifting. into the this part of the discussion early on in the question. And, I'm just kind of wondering, And I, what's our guideline for our procedure? Um, And so I was just tossing that out there because I've noticed things seem to be a little bit less structured. Maybe that's okay. |
| 01:40:43.15 | Kristina Feller | Well, |
| 01:40:43.17 | Richard Graef | Thank you. |
| 01:40:44.86 | Kristina Feller | Just to respond to that, just for clarity and for your sake and everybody else's, typically in a study session, after the applicant has presented, we do ask questions. Sometimes those questions of course get into a little bit more of a discussion. organically. And then we open it up, you know, for public comment, and then we come back and we sort of deliberate a little bit or pull our United thoughts together, even if they're not differing thoughts about it and then try to summarize to the applicant what the input and direction is and make sure that the applicant's clear about the input and that they have received what they were hoping to receive and and that they don't have any more questions for clarification in terms of what our thoughts and comments are. So it's the same procedure as we've done in other study sessions. |
| 01:41:47.55 | Kristina Feller | Okay. Any other thoughts or comments, commissioner Graff? |
| 01:41:51.87 | Richard Graef | No. That is pretty much it, I think. Right. |
| 01:41:57.39 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. Vice Chair Junius. |
| 01:42:01.30 | Andrew Junius | Thank you, Chair Feller. Yeah, I was actually, you know, I'd like to follow on to Commissioner Graff's comments. I actually really like these study sessions. Sometimes they're more productive than others, This one I think is extremely valuable because it is, there's a lot of nuanced issues And you know, Mr. Lapper and Mr. Rex, maybe, hopefully we'll be able to you some consistent direction but it's this is the kind of one kind of situation where i think it's really valuable Others sometimes I don't think so, one where you've got to special piece of property obviously very, you know, loved use and, you know, high intensity use in terms of gluten beverage so congratulations on that You know, To kind of wrap it up a little bit, I certainly support the outdoor dining I think that the building is small enough and it It just needs more support for your patrons. So I hope we can get there. one way or the other. I still do lean. I mean, I appreciate Chair Fellow your comments you know, pushing, making the sidewalk a little funky here and pushing it out into the street. But of the two options, I definitely, I think I do fall into the camp of, raised terrorists or the push out of the sidewalk or however you want to describe it. I'm not sure. You know, we all have a little bit different, you know, observations here. I walked this street actually quite a bit, this side of Bridgeway headed toward Caledonia. And to Commissioner Saad's point, It's really I feel it. is more of this is where people stop. and then basically go back. Right. as a through point, I don't feel it that much, except for people like me who live here and are just using it to get from point A to point B. Um, You know, this really is the end of the downtown commercial area. store to the north, Madrigal, Hopefully somebody will be there someday, but after that, it's really just, you know, some other properties and then a gigantic retaining wall that takes you all the way to the police station and to Caledonia. So, Thank you. There's, to commissioners lefstenberg's point people do walk that but i don't think nearly as many people make that physical connection trying to get to caledonia than they do just getting to Lappers to begin with. I think the solution here is the right one to expand where people can sit and stand waiting for their awesome food. And And however we get that figured out, I think that's going to be great. I'm not sure. but I wouldn't be quite as concerned about pushing the sidewalk out and letting the restaurant expand directly into the right of way there. Thank you. and then stop. and get their food and either eat there or then take it back up to the, to watch boats and things like that. So we're going to have a lot of I don't necessarily feel I see a ton with a bag of food to head to Caledonia. I do see people coming from Caledonia occasionally this direction and maybe there are tourists that park there and are walking back. but this does seem to me to be more of an end point on the pedestrian circulation for the tourist community. And with that, I appreciate the opportunity. |
| 01:45:07.35 | Kristina Feller | Great. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, Just a couple. Final thoughts and I'm actually going to ask if staff can help me with this one comment. I believe that currently Parklet dining and approval that is still valid through, I want to say June of this year, but we need to confirm that date. under the emergency COVID rules It is the intention of the city council to entertain a parklet program. ideas to somehow modify or ratify the ordinances to allow for parklet dining in a more let's call it more permanent way. rather than an emergency program. Um, so from the standpoint of this commission currently, Um, we were kind of betwixt and between in terms of being able to approve a new parklet if it happens between now and June. And so I just asked for staff, I wanna make sure that I am not at all misleading Mr. Rex and Mr. Lappert, but it is my understanding that we are just coming towards the end of the emergency parklet program and moving towards a more permanent solution. Director Moore, please correct me if I'm wrong here. |
| 01:46:42.57 | Jim Moore | Unfortunately, I don't know when the current situation is going to lapse, whether it's June, do you, Roz? |
| 01:46:53.26 | Rozalynne Thompson | I believe so. There is a staff report on this issue. I can research that quickly and get back to you. |
| 01:47:00.44 | Jim Moore | Great. In the meantime, let me just say, It's... the parklet update with city council is tentatively scheduled for the 22nd of march |
| 01:47:11.19 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 01:47:11.47 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 01:47:11.48 | Jim Moore | THE FAMILY. |
| 01:47:11.62 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:47:11.63 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 01:47:12.14 | Jim Moore | that's tentative. So. that timing would jive with the June expiration and getting something else in place. |
| 01:47:21.00 | Kristina Feller | Okay, and I believe as part of that, It's a proposal to city council. There's the intention of some kind of public outreach |
| 01:47:31.06 | Jim Moore | I believe the intent, correct me if I'm wrong, Mary, but I believe on the 22nd is to bring an update |
| 01:47:31.07 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. |
| 01:47:37.76 | Jim Moore | on the Parklet Committee's work. and in the long run adopt new policies regarding I'm not sure what happened that night, but that's, to get on the council's radar and the public's radar on March 22nd, at this point, that's tentative. Any news, Roz? And we can circle back with you later about the... the expiration date of the current |
| 01:48:00.18 | Mary Wagner | Yeah. Thank you. If I could, Chair Feller, I believe and I'm subject to confirmation that there wasn't a step in there that I missed. So the COVID-19 temporary permits that were issued by the city, stay in effect until the council says they're terminated. So I think part of the whole discussion and bringing back the parklet discussion is to continue that. conversation there was an action by the council to extend and then rethink it. So that may be the March date that we're referring to, but we can go back and double check that for you. |
| 01:48:32.23 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, I thank you so much, both of you for the clarification and Mr. Rex and Mr. Lappert, we'll make sure that dates and all of that are very clear to you. But I wanted to put that out there because Parklets, I mean, you spend so much time and work looking at this, and I want to make sure it's clear that when you're, when you're looking for a design review and you put something in front of it, that the expectation is clear. And currently it's a little bit in limbo, and I just want to be very above board with you. about that and of course the goal is by next month to somehow resolve that or have a clearer direction So as not to hold up any business. I mean, that's the whole point of Parklet program. So I just put that out there for you. to bear in mind. Other than that, I mean, I, I'm... I'm still not. yet. fan of the terrorist idea of the mainly because it is a You know, there are standards and programs that we're trying to put in place Um, uh, that are more, uh, you know, transparent, equitable, like for any business owner. here in Sausalito. And so there's no guesswork in it. And we're a lot, you know, Sausalito is a lot clearer about what that is. So introducing a new. standard this commission has to think about the precedent setting of what that means and the implications whether intended or not to that That doesn't mean that I don't completely understand the idea and concept and the clever look at how to possibly solve this for your client. I completely appreciate and respect all of that. I'm not sure. That type of encroachment for that amount of real estate in the city is, we would need our city attorney to also weigh in on that. That's much different than normal encroachments that we deal with. And I want to make sure that that is... either clearly in our court or not clearly in our court. Um, cause I personally cannot answer that at this time. Um, as on behalf of the commission, I don't know the answer to that. So we would have to really get a better handle on that and rely on legal counsel to assist us there. From the standpoint of the ramp versus the elevator Totally get that. I appreciate that. I will echo, um, the tree fan club here. I think those trees are beautiful. I think that they add a patina to that part of town. particularly when you're looking at newer architecture. I think it really helps suture new construction into the existing And yes, although you are not in the historic district, And, and I think your elevation in design is much improved over what was previously approved. I would just you know i want to want to get more information obviously and when the time is right and now is not the time about finishes and and how this works within the context of the rest of Bridgeway in that area. So it does, and I think our Historic Preservation Commission had mentioned the word Disney-like to us at one point, not related to your project, but in other ways. Just want to make sure that it doesn't look like it's mimicking something or that it is can stand on its own. And I have full faith that you can come up with something that that will be beautiful and a great addition to our downtown Um, And, you know, just to go back to what Commissioner Luxembourg was referring to regarding the interior which might not be part of your remit. It is something that the building, you know, the community development department and planning will have to look at from the standpoint of capacity and DPW and so on. I would urge you or your client or both of you to make sure that that is considered and engineered and designed properly for the capacity, the revised capacity that you're looking to serve in that area. So those are my particular comments. I suppose unless the commissioners have any additional thoughts or comments on it. I'd like to ask you Mr. Rex and also Mr. Lappert here if If that sort of input from all of us. It's clear if you have any comments on it, if we can clarify anything. So you walk away from this. study session with a clearer idea of in terms of your direction |
| 01:53:30.93 | Michael Rex | Yes, thank you. This is very helpful and in fact, I think some really good ideas came out of this that we can explore. And one thing I want to point out is that The ramp is rather critical path because it changes how the facade is built and we're under construction. the expansion of outdoor dining. you know, you did the sidewalk last anyway. So that could be on a slower track. I think I'm hearing pretty positive about you know the ramp so you know the poor folks in a wheelchair don't have to go in an elevator go 15 inches and everybody can find the front door thank goodness um uh we would like to uh come back very quickly um with a rough uh a formal cemental for that ramp um i'll move the light stanchion you know we'll save the trees. We'll really nail that down. So because then we want to amend the building permit set very quickly. So we don't delay the construction that's underway. Or if we do, we delay the minimum. But how we develop the sidewalk for more dining, I'm pleased to hear that you recognize that this place could use some more seats. We'll certainly look at the capacity for the kitchen. All that's a building permit issue anyway. But we're not in a super rush about that. And so we could catch our breath a little bit there and come back. It might be a separate application. Although our intention is to do something out there, not just, you know, build the ramp. And I don't know if you're comfortable with that. If we had two separate applications, because it might take us longer to develop the real details for the sidewalk, dining use expansion. Do you have an opinion about that? Thank you. |
| 01:55:40.94 | Kristina Feller | That's a very- That's a timing issue. |
| 01:55:41.68 | Michael Rex | That's a timing issue. |
| 01:55:43.27 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, no, that's a very, very fair question. Um, I think, um, Let me just... for everybody to make sure that you would want to come back to this commission to get a modification to your existing permit for the RAM lonely. |
| 01:56:01.71 | Michael Rex | and the facade. |
| 01:56:02.93 | Kristina Feller | And the facade. |
| 01:56:02.98 | Michael Rex | And the fact that Yeah, the building's under construction. We want to do the building. And then as a separate timeline, focus on the outdoor dining. because the building's out of construction. The opposite, I know you hate piecemeal review but that's why we're doing the study session so you can see where we're headed |
| 01:56:23.60 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, can I just ask, I know that Director Moore has a question as well, but the moving of the light |
| 01:56:23.85 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 01:56:31.90 | Kristina Feller | Um, the light pole, is that part of what you are anticipating? as part of this initial I just... |
| 01:56:40.61 | Michael Rex | I just proposed that tonight. |
| 01:56:42.97 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 01:56:43.70 | Michael Rex | But we would work with Public Works on that for sure. |
| 01:56:48.02 | Kristina Feller | Okay. Director Moore, you had a question. |
| 01:56:50.16 | Jim Moore | I think it in this circumstance would be good to bifurcate the application and come in with the ramp first with the facade changes. And of course there's a little bit of the inside also, you're eliminating that step up by the elevator. and coming with those changes, and then a subsequent application |
| 01:57:02.65 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 01:57:05.84 | Jim Moore | the outside dining and you know if you did go the um terrace route then you'd have to basically pour over the ramp right you would be no the ramp |
| 01:57:14.71 | Michael Rex | No, the random part of it. Oh, it is? |
| 01:57:16.23 | Jim Moore | Oh, it is. Okay, great. Fantastic. Great. But you know, we have a subsequent application for the outside dining part. And then you have time to decide whether to go with adjacent to the property or out in the park living. |
| 01:57:28.08 | Michael Rex | Actually, Jim, let me answer that question differently. because the terrace might shift the location of the ramp a little bit. We probably wouldn't build the ramp. that the ramp would be part of whatever we do in the sidewalk. What we would build is all the building facade and the entrance and things that go in now. And then the sidewalk, all that sidewalk work that would include the ramp would then be a separate of building permit amendment. Um, |
| 01:57:56.34 | Jim Moore | So Michael, would you go forward with the entry near the elevator at this point? |
| 01:57:56.38 | Michael Rex | So Michael, |
| 01:58:01.14 | Michael Rex | No, the whole idea and why we're bringing it to you now is so we can move the entry to the center and not have that hole cut out of the front, We would build the building like you've kind of seen. and then the sidewalk works later. But we need to know that the ramp doesn't you know, can be outside and not inside. So we should change those drawings now. |
| 01:58:27.16 | Jim Moore | Thank you. Yeah, but forgive me if you don't, if you eliminate the outside access to the elevator that gets you up to 15 inches How are you going to get into the building without the ramp via ADA? Thank you. |
| 01:58:38.61 | Michael Rex | of We... So, we would build the ramp before we occupy the building, obviously. Okay. Okay. It's more a question of when we change the drawings and what comes, you know, we it's going to take some while to change the drawings and amend the permit. In fact, John McQuay is going to change his drawings. I'm not taking over his project. So my job is to sidewalk. And that includes the ramp. But I need to know where the front door is going to be, because we're building it now. |
| 01:59:08.92 | Kristina Feller | No. Sure. Let me, I mean, just by a show of hands to the commissioners here, are any strong thoughts one way or the other? |
| 01:59:11.56 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 01:59:17.73 | Kristina Feller | about bifurcating this. Okay. It doesn't, it doesn't appear that they're, they're strong feelings one way or the other. I would just, you know, and, and, and. you know, our principal planner Thompson and director Moore, you know, you're in good, you're in very good hands with the two of them to help figure out some of the details. But of course, I'm assuming that that's going to affect the, what I'll just call scaffolding there now. And, you know, it's just really critical that circulation is not impacted negatively. for pedestrians so I know you'll take that into account. |
| 01:59:53.24 | Michael Rex | Yeah, none of that's going to change right now. In fact, a lot of that superstructure would come down when we did the sidewalk. |
| 02:00:00.27 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 02:00:00.32 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 02:00:01.08 | Michael Rex | Yeah. |
| 02:00:02.79 | Jim Moore | And this is, sorry, this is a study session, which has been really helpful. And then we'll work with you, Michael, in terms of, you know, moving forward with the pieces. Yeah. They're bifurcated. |
| 02:00:02.80 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:00:02.87 | Michael Rex | AND THIS IS |
| 02:00:03.46 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:00:10.77 | Michael Rex | Thank you. |
| 02:00:10.80 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:00:10.84 | Michael Rex | Thank you. |
| 02:00:10.85 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 02:00:12.29 | Michael Rex | Yeah, I really appreciate the city working with us. This is a highly unusual circumstance where we're remodeling a building while it's under construction, redesigning it while it's under construction. I didn't set it up as |
| 02:00:26.55 | Kristina Feller | So we certainly know. I mean, are there any other questions like that that you would have for this commission? No. |
| 02:00:32.25 | Michael Rex | No, that was a key question. It was one of the main reasons we wanted the study session then and we wanted to know what your feelings were about these optional outdoor dining. because it's not a slam dunk. There's pros and cons with design options always, and particularly in this case. |
| 02:00:48.79 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 02:00:48.89 | Michael Rex | So for us, the study session is great. You know, the planning commission wouldn't allow study sessions in the past. So this is a real benefit. |
| 02:00:55.15 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 02:00:58.52 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, they're very beneficial to us as well. So thank you very much for doing this. Um, commissioners, unless you have any other final comments or thoughts, I think, um, we can close, you know, item seven here. Thank you Mr. Rex. |
| 02:01:13.78 | Michael Rex | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 02:01:14.79 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 02:01:14.83 | Michael Rex | Okay. |
| 02:01:14.99 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 02:01:15.97 | Michael Rex | Line. |
| 02:01:16.82 | Kristina Feller | Good night. Good night. Okay. Well, item number eight is adjournment. So I, I move to adjourn all in favor. |
| 02:01:28.06 | Andrew Junius | Hi. |
| 02:01:28.21 | Kristina Feller | Bye. Bye. Great. Thank you everybody. Have a good evening. Good night folks. Thank you. Thank you staff. Thank you. |
| 02:01:32.09 | Andrew Junius | Thank you. |
| 02:01:32.11 | Jim Moore | Good night, folks. Thank you. Good night, all. Good night. |