Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Commissioner Sullivan noted that the plan as proposed does not benefit the City and <br />/"" Community. He noted that the size of the project will generate additional traffic and may bring a <br />small number of jobs to residents. He noted that historically a small percentage of residents <br />work in Pleasanton and that it would increase cut-through traffic from easterly cities. He stated <br />that he would not be in favor of having additional traffic on Sunol Boulevard during peak hours, <br />citing the present traffic problems on Sunol Boulevard. He stated he would be in favor of <br />exploring housing options for this site and noted that the City is running out of options for <br />affordable housing due to build-out. He noted he would be in support of mixed-use opportunities <br />on site, which would allow people to walk to work and shopping and potentially to relocate an <br />ACE station on the San Francisco property. He stated that there are still unresolved issues with <br />contamination on the site and remediation efforts. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sullivan provided an amendment to the motion that the Housing Commission <br />work closely with the Planning Commission on the project, with possibly a workshop being <br />conducted to discuss possibilities for this site, and provide a joint recommendation to the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Maas spoke in favor of the Commission not revisiting this item but forwarding <br />this item to the City Council. <br /> <br />r- <br /> <br />Chairperson Roberts noted she is in opposition to any housing being developed on site. She <br />noted this site is adjacent to two industrial sites. She noted this site will allow for workers to be <br />provided access to a business off of Interstate 680 and that there is no way to enforce the <br />businesses at this site to hire Pleasanton residents. She agreed that there are cut-through <br />problems on First Street; however, she noted that the General Plan does not allow for widening <br />in the Downtown area. She noted that traffic lights in the area will ameliorate some of the traffic <br />issues. She reminded the Commission that this site has always been used as a business park. <br />She noted she would consider reducing the square footage of the proposed project to the median <br />in the General Plan. She stated that affordable housing is needed in the City; however, most of <br />the City's current affordable housing is located within a few blocks of this site. He added that <br />affordable housing may be utilized on the San Francisco Bernal property site. She expressed <br />concern with the traffic in this area and suggested that the residents on Sunol Boulevard discuss <br />with staff the possibility of installing a sound wall or additional landscaping to address noise <br />issues. In conclusion, she noted that she would not be supporting the motion due to affordable <br />housing not being appropriate on this site. <br /> <br />Commissioner Maas noted that the Commissioners should take into consideration the statements <br />from the members of the Housing Commission. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Commissioner Kameny noted his admiration for Kaiser for the attractive plan. He noted that <br />traffic in the area is an issue; however, he noted that employees from the Silicon Valley will <br />probably not commute to Pleasanton and that the majority of this project's employees will be <br />from cities in the valley and who will cut through Downtown Pleasanton. He noted he could <br />support the project if the road improvements are performed at one time. He stated that the <br />proposed project increases office space by 775,000 square feet and that by working with the <br />planner, there could be ways in which to mitigate housing on this site, if the toxic issue can be <br />resolved with the State. He commented on a recent article in The Tri-Valley Herald entitled <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES <br /> <br />January 26, 2000 <br /> <br />Page 7 <br />