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face. He noted that the group of speakers was also diverse. He requested that additional studies be done so that the public can be sure that its decision is right for Pleasanton's future. John Steinbuch, representing property owner W.P. Carey, said he has been involved with the Hacienda PUD efforts since Carey purchased the Shaklee property in 2004. He supported the City's efforts to rezone all three properties and said he anxiously awaits the subcommittee formation and his participation in that effort. Don Reber, BRE Properties, said his company has owned the site since 2006 and been involved in the process since the property was under contract in 2003. He supported efforts to move forward with rezoning and the PUD modification process. He acknowledged that any rezoning action would in no way approve any development on the site and that whatever is proposed there will be the result of extensive community engagement. He said he shares some of the residents' concerns and promised that whatever is ultimately built there will be attractive, be of very high quality, and fit with the surrounding neighborhood's character and scale. He said that rezoning action would enhance the property values of existing residents as well as park owners and supported moving forward with the task force. David Spark, East Bay Association of Realtors, said that there has been considerable public comment and staff analysis related to impacts on property values as a result of the rezoning of these parcels. He concurred with staff's observation that many issues beyond land use decisions are impacting these values. He acknowledged that any decision made this evening does not obligate or guarantee that any development on these parcels would take place anytime soon or at all. He said that, given Pleasanton's tradition of public involvement and scrutiny in the planning process, he is certain that any development will be of extremely high quality. He stated concern that failure to rezone these parcels in a timely fashion could open the City to additional litigation and ultimately complicate the public involvement process. He cautioned that this could lead to land use decisions being made by the court, which would undoubtedly be much less sensitive to the needs of the community. Annita Auyang said that the area's parks and schools are already extremely congested. She said that the business park has a unique character and encouraged consideration of alternative locations for high- density housing so that business can be expanded here. Jan Batcheller urged the Council to approve staffs recommendation. She said that the current Housing Element provides an obligation to provide additional housing and that, from the standpoint of the entire community, there is no better location to do so. She noted that transit oriented development was discussed throughout the entire review of the General Plan and thought that should serve as its own form of public notice. She said that current litigation is the result of procrastination and that lawsuits have no real winners. She said approval of this rezoning would go a long way towards showing good faith in resolving this issue and urged the Council to do everything possible to keep it from proceeding further. Becky Dennis said that in addition to serving on the City Council, she has been a community organizer and avid advocate of open space preservation, which has provided her with a good sense of what residents want in terms of control and assurances. She noted that she was the third approving Council vote when the housing at Hacienda was being considered, and said that she paid a hefty political price for what was then an unpopular decision. Pleasanton is often the victim of its own success, providing such lovely neighborhoods that residents don't believe it can be done again. She cautioned that any further delay on this action could eliminate the public's options, while approving this evening would put Pleasanton a bit ahead of the game in the eyes City Council Minutes Page 14 of 25 October 20, 2009