PC 042711 - Laserfiche WebLink

not be trying to go that way because the area in front of Safeway on Valley Avenue is a blind spot, and accidents have occurred there probably once a month. He added that with respect to parks, none of them are safely near the site; people would have to cross Santa Rita Road to get to Orloff Park, and the Sports and Recreation Community Park on Parkside Drive is a 1.5-mile drive and not within one-half mile as mentioned in one comment. Mr. Buescher stated that traditionally, low-income families have many children. He noted that because Site 12 is one of the smallest sites, there will be no room for a playground on-site. He inquired where children would be playing, noting that Santa Rita Road is right there and is very dangerous. He continued that a two- to three-story building would be impacted by the noise and traffic on Santa Rita Road. He added that the BART station is not nearby and is not easily accessible from the site. He noted that there is a commercial area to the south of the site, which is not a desirable area to be living next to. Vallery Twamugabo requested the Commission that when it narrows down the sites for new high-density, low-income housing, it consider the following unique issues that Site 7 faces. She stated that this site does not meet noise and air quality requirements as detailed in the rating system set up by the City. She questioned if adding housing in an area that does not meet noise and air quality requirements makes sense and asked the Commission to consider the health effects on existing residents as well as new residents. She then stated that traffic is a special concern and asked if the existing traffic circles can handle having many more new cars. She noted that traffic on the I-680 ramp is already a nightmare and will only get worse, as is the traffic on the Foothill Bridge and on Case Avenue and Valley Avenue. She indicated that traffic is an issue for children walking to and from Hearst Elementary School and Pleasanton Middle School. She added that the view of Pleasanton from I-680 is a wonderful mix of urban culture, growth, and nature and asked that this not be compromised. She requested the Commission to not knowingly overlook these concerns. Site 7 Wesley Lem, speaking on behalf of all members of the communities, stated that as earlier indicated by Ms. Patel and Ms. Twamugabo, there are serious issues facing the selection of Site 7 for high-density housing, and he would like to add closing comments in support of Ms. presentation. Mr. Lem stated that everyone in the room chooses to live in Pleasanton, based on what Pleasanton currently has to offer their families: a safe environment and community, open spaces, plentiful parks and recreation facilities, the excellent school system, the Downtown Pleasanton Main Street, and the wonderful diversity of residents who are all working hard to make Pleasanton a better community. He noted that for years, Pleasanton has been one of the most desirable places in the Bay Area in which to live, and they want to see this continue on into the future. He indicated that Pleasanton is one of the few towns that take planning seriously, and he is very confident that the town will look pretty much the same 10, 20 or even 30 years from now. PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, April 27, 2011 Page 15 of 40