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The Energy Element has additional information regarding the financing of energy retrofits as well as <br /> changes to several programs to make them more mandatory than discretionary. Staff has also <br /> added Appendix A which is a compilation of all the goals, policies, and programs throughout the <br /> Plan that are related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. <br /> The EIR identified two areas of significant impact. In the area of transportation, two gateway <br /> intersections, Owens drive at Hopyard Road and Stoneridge Drive at Johnson Drive, for which <br /> mitigation is available but may conflict with the City's goals for pedestrian amenities and visual <br /> character at gateway intersections. The Plan also outlines development assumptions which are <br /> inconsistent with those used in the 2005 Ozone Strategy. The 2005 Ozone Strategy assumes a <br /> greater amount of housing development over and above the 29,000 -unit cap in the General Plan. <br /> This impact is significant and unavoidable. <br /> Staff and consultants examined the project alternatives which considered both dispersed growth <br /> and a concentrated growth alternative. Neither alternative would reduce those impacts to less than <br /> significant levels or achieve the project objectives. Therefore the City has balanced the benefits of <br /> the project against the environmental impacts and finds that the benefits to the community outweigh <br /> the environmental risks. <br /> Mayor Hosterman thanked Mr. Dolan and Ms. Stern for the presentation. She said that while the <br /> initial assumption that the updates would take 1 year were significantly underestimated, staff has <br /> worked to change the face, character and nature of the General Plan into a much better fit for the <br /> local and global community. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said she discussed her questions and suggestions with staff earlier. <br /> Referring to Program 1.1, she noted that the General Plan projects a 20 year vision for the City but <br /> fails to outline a process for monitoring and measuring quality of life issues. She suggested the <br /> Sustainability Program include a process to conduct a biannual study using indicators such as <br /> traffic congestion and delay, energy use, water quality and quantity, fiscal sustainability, and air <br /> quality. <br /> City Manager Fialho confirmed that staff could use sustainable measurement indicators to measure <br /> and prepare a biannual report for the Council to consider during its policy discussions. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said it would also be helpful to use during the budget process in terms <br /> of funding allocation and the preservation of vital community attributes. <br /> Mayor Hosterman concurred. <br /> Referring to the East Pleasanton Specific Plan, Councilmember McGovern voiced concern that <br /> developers may consider some of the placeholders discussed to be entitlements. She asked that <br /> the language clearly state there are no entitlements. In reference to the Hacienda Business Park, <br /> she asked that the proposed TOD designation not allow for any entitlement beyond the 5 million <br /> square feet of retail, commercial, and office space already approved. She also said she would <br /> prefer not to designate the entire development as mixed -use and instead suggested that the <br /> Council specify the areas appropriate for mixed -use TOD. <br /> Councilmember McGovern noted City's plan to implement recycled water and asked when the <br /> Council could anticipate a discussion on the related feasibility study. Mr. Fialho said the study would <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 15 July 21, 2009 <br />