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Frank Brandes said the City has done an excellent job of spending and distributing services <br /> throughout the City. He supports the current staff and task force recommendations and said the <br /> current Housing Element Update has been to recommend sites for high density development as <br /> decreed by the court and not by residents. In 1976, there was a lot debate about what kind of <br /> residential development should occur at Valley Trails, and he is glad to see it off of the list. He <br /> referred to the 10 acres proposed under Site 7 and said this makes sense, given the <br /> development of Safeway Stores and he thinks t hat many of the most recent residents are often <br /> those who object to new development in their areas. <br /> Robert Gonilla, Danbury Park Homeowners Association Board Member, echoed Nancy Allen's <br /> comments. <br /> Becky Dennis said all sites have pluses and minuses. She recalled the debate on Hacienda and <br /> the emphasis for a walk able community, and said there is a need for housing near the Safeway <br /> Store. She does not think the site should be eliminated, cited its proximity to the nearby park, <br /> the fairgrounds, future bus, transit and other services. <br /> Dick Vesperman, representing the owner of the Valley Trail site, said the owner has disputed <br /> the decision by the Housing Element task force to drop this site from those under consideration. <br /> They believe the decision was based on incorrect information in comments made at the <br /> workshops and that insufficient effort was made to examine the comments and determine the <br /> veracity. He spoke about comments in their letter dated May 2, 2011 which he will provide to the <br /> Clerk. They also voice concerns that discussions concerning the site were held prior to that <br /> meeting. The property owner continues to believe that the highest and best use of their property <br /> is single family residential as it has been zoned for the last 50 years; however, they have been <br /> thwarted numerous times over the last 50 years in pursuing such development which they <br /> believe would enhance values of nearby properties and increase property tax revenues. Lacking <br /> the ability to develop the property for its zoning, the owner would be happy to see it considered <br /> for affordable housing and feels this would be the next best use of the property, as such <br /> development would be consistent with the church's biblical mandate; to care for the poor. He <br /> clarified that the church's only interest is developing 7 of the 9 acres there. They plan to rebuild <br /> a facility on the site. He said the second statement was that the property was acquired by the <br /> church as a gift by the City because of widening of First Street, which is not true. He said the <br /> church bought the property from its original developer; Martin Homes. <br /> Frank Jiang said he lives in the Walnut Hills community next to Site 7 and voiced concerns of <br /> varied negative impacts if the Pleasanton Gateway is kept on the list. <br /> Pam Hardy said she lives in the Ironwood community, agrees with previous speakers in their <br /> belief that there could be a disproportionate number of units identified for the east area. She has <br /> long awaited the east side specific plan area and its opportunities, as it could complete the <br /> roadway network system that the General Plan has envisioned for a long time. She <br /> acknowledged the Council's position and the fact that the City must comply with its RHNA <br /> requirement, and thanked the task force, Housing Commission, Planning Commission and staff <br /> for their work and in looking out for the community. <br /> Heather Truro asked the Council to look at their group as all Pleasanton residents as opposed <br /> to Site 7 or 8 opponents. She agrees that they would not like to have to deal with the situation of <br /> having additional high density housing, but we must have it. She asked to see Site 7 remain and <br /> continue through the process and to consider dispersing or reducing units. Taking it off because <br /> of the outcry of people not wanting it in the community is unfair, and it needs to go through the <br /> City Council Minutes Page 10 of 19 May 3, 2011 <br />