11 ATTACHMENT 04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember McGovern referred to page 15 of the September 15, 2010 staff report, which states that a 29-foot high sound wall installed along the railroad line and around the sides of the development would be required to fully mitigate noise issues. Mr. Dolan said it is clearly an issue. Since it is unreasonable to provide this mitigation and develop the property as residential within the City's noise guidelines, this is an acknowledged and accepted limitation of the property. Councilmember McGovern stated that in addition to her issues with density, green space, and trees, she feels the existing bungalow should be restored and maintained as a heritage structure. Councilmember Sullivan asked if the noise study included a profile detailing the impacts on residents as they move further from the noise source. Mr. Otto said noise was analyzed throughout the project site and actual mitigations for the windows vary based on the homes' distance from the railroad tracks. Councilmember Sullivan requested specific data. Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she met with two members of the PHA and viewed the site on her own as well as with the applicant. She said the tree survey map is incorrect and actually shows the property line with a huge setback between the fence and detached garage of the single family home next door. Mr. Otto agreed there is very little setback on the garage and referred her to the full sized plans. Councilmember Cook-Kallio questioned whether this is to Code. Mr. Otto said it does not meet current setback requirements, but guessed it to be an old structure. Councilmember Cook-Kallio confirmed with staff that the installed solar panels were permitted. She referred to page 6 of the staff report, noting that solar collectors must be set back at least 5 feet from a property line. Mr. Otto clarified that the Solar Shade Control Act guidelines stipulate only the conditions that a property must meet to be protected under the act, and not those that the site is generally subject to. Councilmember Sullivan said that regardless of the Solar Shade Control Act, this is a PUD and it is within the discretion of the Council to shift these houses around in a way that they do not interfere with the neighbor's solar panels. Councilmember Cook-Kallio acknowledged the point, but said it seemed a bit disingenuous to complain about the other person's setback. Councilmember Cook-Kallio confirmed with staff that a tree's heritage designation has nothing to do with age or canopy. She struggled with the designation and condition of each tree as listed on the survey. She said she envisioned much different trees than what she saw at the site and that the latter did not meet with her perception of a heritage tree. In balancing the need for housing versus that for trees, she said she would be in favor of removing the trees along the rear of the property. She said the importance of preserving or restoring Pleasanton's heritage and history is something that will likely be a struggle in the coming years. She thought it somewhat unfair to the applicant to do so on an individual basis and said these conversations should have happened well before this point. While the existing bungalow is an old home, she is not convinced it needs to be preserved. The Mayor called for a brief break, and thereafter, reconvened the regular meeting and opened the publ,c hearing. David DiDonato, applicant, said he has been working on this project for the last three years under the guidance of staff and the City's documents. He said he has contracted three different noise studies in ar attempt to address noise issues, but the City's guidelines make it difficult. He said it is infeasible to construct a 29-foot sound wall, but every window along the units adjacent to the railroad line has a commercial hotel grade window with an STC rating of at least 45. He said this, in conjunction with the proposed sound wall, would result in bedrooms quieter than those in existing developments along this corridor. City Council Minutes, December 7, 2010 PUD-82, Donato Builders