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bedroom window (as 1 am looking up from my pool) than I currently have now — if that's what I wanted to do. I guess I have to believe that the Lopez's also want to protect their own privacy and that mutual self interest will keep things in balance. I have also talked to a good friend who has a one -story house with a pool and two, two -story louses next to her - one behind her and one to the side. Privacy has not been an issue for her. As my friend said, "I have good neighbors ". Nature of the Neighborhood. The addition of the second story will probably impact the nature of the neighborhood, but I see any changes as being positive and consistent with other home improvements that other neighbors have made and with the general lifestyle trends in Pleasanton. I think the nature of the neighborhood is defined more by the people that live there than the style of the house. I have a neighborhood where children play in my front yard, neighbors get together for block parties, and people offer to help when there is a medical crisis. That's the nature I want to protect. Families today, often with two working parents, have the desire and means for more space or other upgrades to their homes. All of my neighbors, including myself, have made major investments in home improvements. Myself and at least two of my other neighbors work from home, to try to balance work /home responsibilities, reduce commute time, and in general make life less stressful in a very busy, chaotic lifestyle we all seem to have today. I have one bedroom dedicated to a home office out of necessity. I think all the home improvements I have seen in my neighborhood, including the planned second story addition to the Lopez' home, simply reflect a response to the changing needs of families in Pleasanton. All of the families irnmediately around me have 1 or two children. The Lopez's have 3 young children. This very family- oriented neighborhood and homes need to continue to meet people needs if it wants to retain the value and nature that has been so carefully created over the years. Sunlight and View. The proposed addition may block my view more and possibly some sunlight, but I don't see the impact as being significant enough to be of concern. From the front, I don't have much view now as I have a giant tree in the front yard that blocks everything. For me personally, from the backyard looking out, I don't think I would feel that much different seeing a two -story house in the skyline than seeing the one -story houses that I now see. The skyline is partially blocked in either case. But I understand that different people have different perspectives on this. Property Values. I fundamentally believe that an investment of this size in a house is also an investment in the neighborhood and would only increase property values, not decrease them. It also sends a strong message to any potential buyers that this is a neighborhood worth investing in. I think it would help turn around the negative cycle that is currently happening — short selling and lower house prices. I realize that there may be people, who wouldn't buy a house that's next to a two -story home, but there are also people who wouldn't buy a house with a pool (like mine) or for any number of personal preferences. I think the property values would be more likely to be negatively impacted by a home sale in these depressed market condi or by a home converted to a rental - the only real alternatives available to the Lopez if they are not allowed to build and must move instead.