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The public hearing was closed. <br /> Councilmember Thome thanked the task force, the Planning and Housing Commissions, the <br /> two Councilmember participants and staff. He supports staff recommendations including the <br /> Planning Commission and Housing Commission changes which are recommended by staff, is <br /> amenable to adding back 30 units per acre for CM Capital, supports submitting the entire <br /> package to HCD with the understanding the Council will never have to zone more than what it is <br /> required to by law, and is interested in submitting more than the required number of acres due <br /> to not knowing what HCD will do. If the City should receive an approval for more than what is <br /> needed, it would be his objective to rezone only the amount the City is required to and to <br /> balance that burden throughout the community. <br /> He said he wants to ensure the City does not overburden any single neighborhood or area of <br /> the community with inconveniences that higher density populations bring. Regarding items to be <br /> sent to the growth management committee, he is a member along with Councilmember <br /> McGovern, and he will do the best he can to put into the plan what the community wants and <br /> what he feels are in the best interests of the community. He thinks that the bottom line is that <br /> the citizens of the community and the City Council no longer control land use planning in <br /> Pleasanton. The fact is that the State legislature, via ABAG and MTC, using RHNA, AB32, and <br /> SB375 control land use and they will soon be telling the City where it must build units. It is more <br /> interesting that no one ever elected these individuals to do land use planning in Pleasanton, and <br /> he is saddened that it is not only land use. He commented that the City received a list of 13 new <br /> bills that take more control over local issues from the hands of citizens and puts them into the <br /> hands of the State legislature or other regional governmental agencies. Examples include <br /> limiting the City's ability to contract out staffing, which should be a local decision and another <br /> attempts to mandate State intervention into local financial and labor disputes. He suggested <br /> everybody letting their legislators know that we want to control issues that are rightfully ours to <br /> control. <br /> MOTION: It was moved by Councilmember Thorne to direct staff to make changes as made by <br /> the Planning Commission and Housing Commission, to return the CM Capital Site 13 <br /> designation to 30 units per acre, and submit the Draft Housing Element of the General Plan to <br /> the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review <br /> Councilmember McGovern supported the 23 units and 30 units per acre for the CM Capital site, <br /> as it provides a better perspective in working with 2 and 3 stories and 3 and 4 stories on the site <br /> of 12.6 acres which will allow for a better streetscape and massing. <br /> Councilmember Thorne acknowledged Councilmember McGovern's comments stating he <br /> knows there are some drawbacks to it. His intent is to submit the maximum number so that what <br /> returns will have the maximum amount of flexibility. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio echoed Councilmember Thorne's comments, thanked everybody <br /> for their work, and felt the process was educational and helpful. She voiced the importance of <br /> having El Charro and Stanley Boulevard and said it is the Council's responsibility to do this <br /> sooner rather than later. Regarding schools, people want to live in Pleasanton because people <br /> value the education here. She and Councilmember Thorne sit on the liaison committee with the <br /> school district. She assured the public that planning for students is on everybody's minds, and <br /> they will have to accommodate whatever numbers of students live in the area. In terms of the <br /> CM Properties, she is inclined to send them to HCD at 30 units per acre. She supports the Auf <br /> de Maur/Richenback Meyer Site 8 being at the higher density with the caveat that all of this <br /> density should not be put in the east side of Pleasanton. She would be happier if there were <br /> conversations about a park, but thinks without the retail and a balance throughout the City, she <br /> City Council Minutes Page 12 of 14 July 19,2011 <br />