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corner of that site. He suggested that, since that route would provide benefits to the City of Livermore, the alignment be pushed slightly eastward to the Livermore side of El Charro Road so that the impacts occur outside of Pleasanton. Mr. Quint said different designs could and are being considered. Mayor Hosterman said she and Councilmember Thorne raised the same issue at the last meeting on the matter and that is specifically why this presentation was requested. Councilmember McGovern said the anticipated population growth that ridership numbers are based on seems high. Mr. Quint directed her to the section on population and housing for specific demographics. Councilmember Sullivan questioned how it compares to the General Plan's build out forecast. Mr. Quint stated that forecasts generated in 2007 were obtained from the Association of Bay Area Governments and used for these projections. Mayor Hosterman encouraged the public to attend either of the upcoming workshops for a better understanding of these alternatives as well as to provide input. John Quigley reiterated that the public can log on to the BART website to submit comments online and that each comment will be addressed and answered on an individual basis. Mayor Hosterman opened the item for public comment. Robert Allen said the Livermore /Pleasanton extension was originally intended to run through both downtown Pleasanton and Livermore along the railroad line but that the City of Pleasanton wisely decided to run it down 1 -580. He developed the El Charro concept during the time he served as a BART director; when Livermore chose to do the same, BART sold the downtown brickyard property and purchased 53 acres for the west Livermore station which is now being used for I- 580 /SR 84 interchange. He said BART requires a secure right -of -way with no grade crossings or public access to tracks, making the middle of the freeway an ideal location. Caltrans was encouraged to widen the freeway to provide space for BART and HOV lanes, but failed to do so. He would love to see BART extend to Greenville and eventually over the Altamont, which would be less expensive than the proposed ACE tunnel and provide more frequent service. Kurt Kummer concurred with Mr. Allen that a freeway right -of -way is ideal for BART. He is baffled that other options are being discussed and particularly concerned with what this could do to the Staples Ranch site. He cited firsthand experience with working near aerial BART lines and said the resulting noise is in no way conducive to the senior housing, retail, and park -like opportunities envisioned for the site. He recommended that BART continue working with any alternative that remains on 1 -580 at least through Pleasanton and requested that the Chain of Lakes, which will be a beautiful and natural buffer between Pleasanton and Livermore, not be destroyed. Mayor Hosterman said those are the kinds of comments and discussions that have and will continue to take place. She thanked Director McPhartland and Mr. Quint. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 13 December 15, 2009