CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA PACKET

Page 6 of 10 COVID, on most weekdays, parking was fully occupied by early morning. If demand increases to pre-COVID levels, BART rider parking demand may exceed the existing capacity. One Commission member, however, commented on whether any BART rider parking is needed at all on the Pleasanton side of the station given the significant supply on the Dublin side of the station, including the new County garage that is currently vacant. The Commission also discussed and inquired about how new parking would be financed and the uncertainty about driving patterns and parking demand, especially given that autonomous vehicles could play a key role in transporting people in the future. Finally, Commissioners also inquired about what entity (i.e., City or BART) would have final say in the number of BART rider spaces. Most Commissioners expressed support for the plaza along the Iron Horse Trail. The Commission also discussed whether the site could sustain retail or other active uses and expressed that if the space was not consistently occupied to generate adequate pedestrian traffic, the empty space would result in a potentially undesirable or unsafe area and would be a deterrent for BART patrons. A Commissioner also inquired whether the housing units would be rental or for-sale and indicated a preference for at least some for-sale units to encourage young families to locate in Pleasanton on a long-term or permanent basis. A member of the Commission questioned the number of proposed building stories while several others indicated the site is best suited for high-density development and should be optimized for housing since it is farther away from existing neighborhoods and is adjacent to the BART station. Aside from affordable units, which one Commissioner indicated would be a definite positive attribute for the project, some members of the Commission indicated it was unclear what benefit the City and residents would receive from development of the site. Two members of the public spoke and expressed support for a protected bicycle lane along Owens Drive to encourage multimodal access to the station (and to encourage biking in general). Comments also suggested improving the crossing at Owens Drive and the Iron Horse Trail. Public comment received after the Community Meeting but in advance of both this City Council meeting and the October 22 Planning Commission meeting is included as Attachment 4 to this report. As summarized earlier, the commentators indicate that vehicular parking for BART riders should not be reduced since, in their observation, demand for parking lot spaces has increased recently compared to just after the COVID-19 pandemic. A commenter observed that prior to the pandemic, the parking lots filled up quickly – resulting in BART riders having to park far from the station. Conceptual Development Scenarios Key Planning Considerations: There are several background conditions and planning considerations for the site. They include: • Site planning and configuration that takes into account the property's ongoing functioning as a BART station (i.e., station access), existing infrastructure and easements, such as the Iron Horse trail alignments, utilities, and BART service equipment • Transit stops and multi-modal circulation through the station • Parking demand for both on-site development and BART rider parking • Parking supply factoring in off-site parking capacity in vicinity (including the Alameda Page 112 of 399