HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.A Late Document 10 01/04/2010i
From: abornstein@greenbelt.org
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 2:26 PM
To: - City Clerk
Subject: Letter to Council for the 1.4.10 meeting, Item 5
Attachments: Petaluma mall_Council_1.4.pdf
Dear City Clerk,
Please find the attached letter for Council consideration.
Thi nk you,
Amanda
Amanda Bornstein
Field Representative
Greenbelt Alliance
555 5th Street, Suite 300 B
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-575-3661
anuary 4, 2010
Petaluma City Council
11 English Street
Petaiuma, CA 94952
Proposed East Washin~ton Place Mixed-LJse Development, A~enda item 5
Dear Mayor Torliatt and Councilmembers,
As you review the Final EIR and the Tentative Vesting Map for the proposed East Washington Place Mixed-
Use Development please consider the goals you put forth in the recent General Plan update. At a time when it is
important to conserve resources and design livable communities this retail center offers a vital opportunity to
make thoLightful planning d~cisions. The proposed project is currently designed to ~be a traditional `big box'
mall without consideration for green building, pedestrian and bike amenities, or the potential for residential
units on top of the retail spaces. I attended the December 8, 2009 Planning Commission meeting and support
many of the additional conditions the commissioners recommended, including:
~ Mandating LEED certified buildings and the incorporation of solar panels into building design to maximum
feasible extent;
• Planting trees throughout the development including the parking lot to provide sbade and greenery;
~ Incorporating grey/rainwater into the irrigation system;
o Incorporating recycling receptacles into the design;
m Using permeable paving where allowable/feasible;
m Deferring construction of 20% of parking areas, to be placed in `landscape reserve' with City staff to
evaluate need for these spaces after 12 months of Project operation;
~ Improving connectivity witll public transit to and from the mall as well as designing a designated
bike/pedestrian pathway inside the mall.
m Reconfiguring the street grid within the mall to create smaller blocks instead of a`big box' layout; and
• Incorporating housing into the development. The project site is located five blocks from the new transit
plaza and SMART rail station providing an opportunity for Transit Oriented Development.
Many of these elements, which are currently missing from the Tentative Vesting Map, are consistent with the
General Plan and the Council's vision for the City. I strongly urge you to work with the developers to create a
mixed-use retail center that serves the diverse needs of the communitiy.
Thank you,
Amanda Bornstein
Sonoma Field Representative