15 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND The orderly growth and development of the City together with the preservation of open space is a high priority for the Pleasanton community. The City has used several tools to attain this goal including the adoption of an Urban Growth Boundary, a Growth Management Program, and a cap on residential development. In addition to these policy tools, Pleasanton has enacted a number of procedures and regulations that ensure that development is carefully considered by the community and the impacts of growth are mitigated. Urban Growth Boundary: The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), which was ratified by Pleasanton voters in 1996 (Measure FF), designates a line around the edge of land planned for urban development at General Plan buildout. The line distinguishes areas generally suitable for urban development where public facilities and services are provided from those areas not suitable for urban development. The UGB is intended to permanently define the line beyond which urban development will not occur, although the policy also describes some circumstances under which the UGB could be adjusted. For example, the policy describes the potential for "reevaluation" of Urban Growth Boundary locations in East Pleasanton at such time as comprehensive land use designation changes are considered for the reclaimed quarry lands. Generally, any proposed change to the UGB would be subject to a vote by Pleasanton citizens. In November 2000, the voters of Alameda County also approved an Urban Growth Boundary (Measure D) which is co- terminus with the City's Urban Growth Boundary in Pleasanton, and also includes the Cities of Livermore and Dublin. Residential Cap: The 1996 General Plan and a subsequent vote of the citizens of Pleasanton (Measure GG) established a residential cap of 29,000 housing units within the Pleasanton Planning Area. This number assumes buildout of all residential lands shown on the General Plan Map at mid -point densities, or consistent with an adopted Specific Plan where applicable. The housing cap has been challenged on grounds that it is preempted by state law and impermissibly inhibits the development of affordable housing, allegations that the City contests. Growth Management Program: The City adopted its first growth management ordinance in 1978, designed to regulate the location and rate of new residential growth in a period of sewage treatment constraints and air quality concerns. The growth management program was modified following the comprehensive revisions to the General Plan in 1986 and 1996, and an additional ordinance modification to allow the City Council to override the annual housing allocation in order to meet the City's total regional housing needs was introduced on October 20, 2009. Page 2 of 5