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Staff believes the overall landscape program for the development complements the building de- sign and will result in a visually striking development for this gateway intersection and the area. Staff recommends the following changes: ^ Staff recommends a minimum shrub size of five-gallons and groundcover in one gallon size. Unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director. Staff notes that some shrubs - agapanthus species, for example -are only available at aone-gallon size. These smaller shrubs could still be used in conformance to this condition provided that their quantity does not 15 percent of the shrubs used in this development. ^ The landscape separations from the Congregation Beth Emek property reflect the Con- gregation's request for a significant landscape separation between the two properties. Additionally, no access is provided between the project and Nevada Court meeting the Congregation's concerns. Representatives of the Congregation Beth Emek have re- viewed and support the site plan including landscape separations, and have requested that a substantial landscape barrier along the project's east side to screen the Home Depot service area from the view of their property. To achieve the opaque landscape barrier on the development's south side facing Nevada Court and the Congregation Beth Emek, staff recommends that shrubs used here be spaced to achieve a 50% overlap after five years. The applicant's Landscape Architect will work closely with staff to develop an optimum design such that the appropriate species be planted to prevent overgrowth and plant waste requiring removal. As conditioned, these changes would be shown on the building permit plan set, subject to the review and approval by the Planning Director, before issuance of a building permit. Building Design Building Design The subject property is located on a gateway entrance/intersection to the City. Hence, the over- all project design -building, site, landscaping, sign, etc. -must achieve the highest level of vis- ual quality. At its work session, the Planning Commission directed the applicants to "signiticantly improve the architecture to blend with Pleasanton's character". For this gateway entrance to the City, staff defined "Pleasanton's design character" as represented by the Fire Station No. 1, U. S. Pe- troleum service station, and Congregation Beth Emek building designs. Regarding Home De- pot's building design, staff and the Planning Commission stated that Home Depot must de- emphasize Home Depot's "basic box structure". The applicants and their design consultants then worked with staff and Larry Cannon to work out the building designs to meet these goals. The proposed building designs appear to be attractive, achieve a high level of visual quality, and would work well with the designs of the existing commercial buildings in the surrounding area. PCUP-165/PDR-529/PMOD-81-25-7M Page 37 of 36 December 13, 2006