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sustainability, reduction of energy use, healthy community, and land uses and ways of life that result in fewer pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The Plan contains several new optional elements including: (1) Water Element which addresses conservation and protection of waterways and watersheds, providing and maintaining a sufficient and safe supply of water, protection from floods, and quality of runoff into the storm drainage system and ground water; and (2) Energy Element which addresses both conservation and the supply of energy and requires that the City provide leadership in this area. The Air Quality Element has also been updated to include the issues of climate change. The General Plan's Planning Concepts allow for mixed -use designation of Hacienda Business Park and other transit oriented sites and encourage housing opportunities near transit and specifically in the downtown area. This concept introduces the responsibility and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting a more sustainable way of life. It also introduces the intent to develop an East Pleasanton Specific Plan with the potential for a wide variety of mixed elements and the Chain of Lakes concept. Mr. Dolan also noted the Plan includes Measures PP and QQ as well as requirements by the state. The language included in the measures appears in the Open Space and Conservation Elements as well as the Land Use Element. As a result, the Plan now incorporates prohibitions on building on slopes graded 25% or more and situated within 100 vertical feet of a ridgeline. In terms of the housing cap, it reaffirms the City's commitment to a 29,000 unit housing cap and also provides fairly specific language on what type of unit is and is not included in that cap. Principal Planner Janice Stern also reviewed the General Plan and EIR, reviewed the process and changes that have been made to both documents since the Council last reviewed it in September 2008. She said these changes resulted from new information received by staff, new programs that came into effect during that time, the passage of Measures PP and QQ, approval of the Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan amendment, and comments on the draft EIR and General Plan. The City received roughly 24 comments on the draft EIR from residents, community organizations, and local agencies. The most notable included comments concerning information on Native American presence in the local area, the location of projected jobs and methods for reducing vehicle miles travelled in association with those jobs, classification of Gateway intersections, land use designation in the East Pleasanton area, wildlife values in the Staples Ranch and Chain of Lakes area, quantification and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, the regional housing needs assessment, and an alternative to the project limiting the housing cap. She said staff received a letter today from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District requesting that alternative be analyzed. Staffs response is that it is not a feasible alternative since the cap is a voter approved measure. Ms. Stern outlined the most significant changes to the General Plan, stating that they primarily surrounded the topic of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Land Use Element was updated to make policies related to mixed -use transit compatible development and densities more binding. The Circulation Element includes new programs related to the funding of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, participation in commute alternatives, and the requirement of bicycle improvements in development. The Public Facilities Element added programs related to exceeding the goals for waste reduction and increasing participation in recycling programs. The Air Quality and Climate Change Element underwent extensive change, including the addition of "climate change" to the title; Pleasanton's response to climate change; the recent ICLEI inventory study; and goals, policies, and programs to address climate change. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 15 July 21, 2009