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Commissioner Blank stated that this is a tough issue and that while he agrees with some of the things Commissioner Pearce stated, he does not have the same passion or commitment that she has. He noted that the challenge is that the home is an older home, and because a house is old does not, in and of itself, merit its preservation. He stated he has driven by and walked the property several times and does not have the impression that preserving the property at all costs would be of value to the neighborhood. He added that he is not sure how much it will cost to restore the house and whether or not it is economically feasible. He noted that if preserving the house makes this project uneconomical in terms of density, then the Commission might be having a completely different discussion. Commissioner Blank stated that when the Commission first heard this project, he was in agreement with allowing the house to be demolished, and he did not find anything in the report that changed his mind. He agreed that the house has integrity; however, the structural portion of the house is not in question. He indicated that the guidance he has operated under is whether or not the house falls under historical preservation, and the report does not support this. Commissioner Blank stated that he thinks this project indicates that Pleasanton does not need a Historical Preservation Ordinance but an ordinance to preserve older homes and determine the definition of what constitutes this; for example, any home over 50 years or 100 years, and categories of preservation agreed with Commissioner Blank that older homes should be preserved. He stated that he fears if the Commission limits itself to these criteria, there would be many houses in town that will fail to meet the criteria, even within the DTSP. He added that he thinks it is unfortunate that the wording is the way it is, as many of the older homes that he would like to save would not be saved. the City has given developers and property owners the idea that if they follow this process they should expect a certain response from the City. He indicated that there are developers and owners spending a lot of money to get direction, and to have the Commission or Council refute this and say they would like to save the older home anyway is not right. He noted that he is torn because while he thinks this home would be nice to save, he does not think that proper direction has been given to developers and builders. nor stated that he does not think the Commission has been given . He noted that while he is not happy about it, he supports the demolition of the house. He acknowledged that each Commissioner has the individual right to not support it and that it would be nice if the developer saved the house. PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, February 9, 2011 Page 13 of 41