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somehow different. She said that while she supported the idea of garden style housing and understands Councilmember McGovern's concerns, she has learned that what was designed many years ago is not fitting for today's senior population in their 90s and 100s. She said they are committed to building a development that is both attractive to someone in their 60s and conducive to aging in place. She said that one project on one site is the most viable and appropriate choice. Councilmember Thorne asked why the low- income housing fund could not be used to cover the relatively small financing gap. Mr. Bocian explained that nearly every development process starts with a gap that one attempts to close throughout financing process. He said that any remaining gap could certainly be covered by that fund at the Council's discretion. Chuck Decked, Pleasanton Gardens Board of Directors, said that as a board, it was decided that 150 units would be a great way to meet the needs of the site's current residents as well as develop a larger community that supports aging in place. He said that with 1,000 inquiries since the wait list was closed last year, 150 total units is only a drop in the bucket. Councilmember Thorne asked if the entire project would come to a halt if Pleasanton Gardens withdrew. Mr. Bocian said that the loss of the project's Section 8 housing would pose a significant issue. Councilmember Thorne asked if Regalia House is associated with veterans in any way. Mr. Bocian said it was built by the women's club and the site used to house a military base but that he did not believe the structure to be associated with the base. A task force member said the site was formerly military housing and that the building, a former preschool which dates back before WWII, was part of that project. Councilmember McGovern asked if the capacity study mentioned in the Sienna Development report was ever conducted. Mr. Bocian said there has been no environmental analysis but that the work done thus far has determined the capacity of the site. Councilmember McGovern asked and Mr. Bocian confirmed the capacity to be 45 units per acre. She asked if underground parking, as mentioned by the report, was ever considered. Mr. Bocian said that it was discussed early in the process and the ultimate sense was that it would most likely not work well at this site. Councilmember McGovern said one of her primary issues with the proposed footprint is that it covers nearly the entire acreage with structures or parking and leaves relatively little open space. She noted that the report also identified a significant loss of capital assets by tearing down 90 units in good repair. She cited issues with tearing down something that was paid for by taxpayer dollars and rebuilding it with today's taxpayer dollars. She inquired about the current value of the site's structures. Mr. Bocian said a property appraisal has not yet been performed. Councilmember McGovern requested an appraisal. She said the current proposal has too many assumptions that are far from finite, noted that the reports provided state that phasing projects carries increased costs, and requested a cost analysis. Mr. Bocian stated that a preliminary relocation report was conducted and a process was developed that involves moving people within the development by leaving vacancies open as they come up. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 16 December 1, 2009