February 19, 2013 > Fremont City Council Fremont City Council February 12, 2013 Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scout Troop 103 Oral Communications: Request to alter public hearing procedure when considering residential development. Initially, applicants for development are allowed to present their case followed by public rebuttal. Since the applicant is allowed to rebut public comments, there should be an opportunity for those in opposition to rebut the rebuttal. Under the current system, the developer's rebuttal is the final statement without the public's ability to challenge these statements. Fremont resident and representative of Silicon Valley Community Against Gun Violence spoke about an alliance of non-gun owners and gun owners to support universal background checks, elimination of gun show loopholes and bans on assault weapons and high capacity clips. The group does not see these restrictions as a threat to the Second Amendment. Education and gun safety for gun owners are crucial and "buy backs" are strongly encouraged. Mayor Harrison was "invited" to join a coalition of mayors against illegal guns. Other Business: Presentation and update of City Center Precise Plan and Form Based Code Process through a consultant review of strategies and concepts for the City Center area. Strategies to transform City Center Fremont from auto-oriented to an urban landscape include examination of "sub-areas" including: Hub, South Walnut, BART station. Focus on creating a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented area; multi-modal streets and pedestrian scale; strong connection between BART and downtown - a shuttle?; improve key intersections and 'gateways'; urban open space; parking management; employment and visitor strategies. Most development opportunities categorized as mid to long term action. Discussion by council revealed a wide divergence of ideas about parking, land use and connections between sub-areas. Location and amount of housing, a hotel, medical focus and building heights were discussed. Council Referrals: Appoint Tejinder Dhami to Human Relations Commission: term expires 12/31/14