CCMIN102009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Suhas Kulkarni said he does not appreciate the scare tactics regarding pending litigation. Since moving here over 9 years ago he has seen a significant increase in traffic congestion and impacts on parks. Increasing density here would create a definite increase in those impacts, believed the current information is insufficient to support an informed decision, and requested the Council also consider that the public would like to be part of this decision making process. Jon Harvey, Greenbelt Alliance, said that his organization has worked with local communities and partner groups to help secure long -term protection for more than 1.1 million acres of open space, established urban growth boundaries, and endorsed the creation of more than 60,000 homes in existing urban areas. The Bay Area remains one of the country's most desirable places to live, work, and visit because its communities are linked by buses, trains, bike paths, and trails and are bounded by protected greenbelts. He quoted California Attorney General Jerry Brown, stating, "California must adopt the necessary changes that will encourage economic growth while reducing greenhouse gases. These difficult transitions from our current escalating dependence on fossil fuel demands that cities and counties encourage maximum building efficiency and innovative land use." He said that Pleasanton needs housing that is more affordable to more people and recommended the rezoning of these parcels as the appropriate step in that direction, and requested the Council adopt the staff recommendation. Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. BREAK Mayor Hosterman called a four minute recess and, thereafter, reconvened the meeting. Councilmember Sullivan described himself as an avid advocate of transit oriented development for all the reasons mentioned this evening, but said he has always conditioned that support with the belief that the community should have the opportunity to participate, fully understand the impacts and benefits, and ultimately agree that it is the right thing to do. He agreed that in August 2008, the Council made a commitment to Hacienda neighborhood residents, property owners, and developers that a task force and community participation process would be established to work through the associated issues. He reread the minutes of that meeting today and believes that the public wished for that to occur before anything else, and the Council needs to honor its commitments or risk losing its credibility, as well as the credibility of local government. From a practical standpoint, a process which clearly outlines the benefits and impacts of a proposal and engenders public support goes much further than one that creates a sense of mistrust. The City is in a legal position it should never have gotten into but advised that there are alternative options to address the matter. He said that rezoning elsewhere would take longer and does carry some risks, but that the process could be started now. He noted that 350 units have already been approved next to Stoneridge Mall and he proposed that as an alternative consideration. He also suggested the Council consider Mr. Bursley's second proposal which would solve the litigation issue and establish the appropriate steps for moving forward, with assurance to all stakeholders that the process will start immediately. He said he would like to see "good cause" stricken from staff's proposal and also believes a full EIR should be required. He ultimately believes that transit oriented development offers considerable benefits to the community but it needs to be achieved in a way that the community can support. Councilmember Thorne said that the City is forced to consider this zoning process out of order because of the state law which establishes the RHNA allocation process. He explained that RHNA is the housing numbers which the state assigns to each region, and the region then allocates to various cities. Without that law, the City would not be involved with litigation and the Council would not be discussing rezoning properties in a manner it would not normally support. City Council Minutes Page 16 of 25 October 20, 2009