01 - Laserfiche WebLink

purchased and renovated, but this is not the case, and noted that the City will be able to bank funds from the development for what homeowners want. Parking and sound issues have been addressed and she noted that people who purchase new homes will know fully what they are buying through disclosure. She made a motion to support staff recommendation with minor amendments based on Council's discussion. Councilmember Thorne seconded the motion. He said he appreciates the neighborhood inviting him over and giving him an opportunity to hear concerns from them directly. He shares some of the longer term concerns and hopes to be able to take an active role in ensuring the neighborhood is listened to and that input is heard early in the process than later. He emphasized that the Old Stanley corridor is a part of the Pleasanton downtown and part of the Downtown Specific Plan and is generally zoned for higher density projects, particularly infill projects. The 13- unit development fits well into this concept and is not a lot different from current infill projects. Regarding the existing home, whether it is a heritage home or building is far too dependent on the holder and the prospective interest of that holder and he suggested the City define historic guidelines. Regarding the trees, Councilmember Thorne said this project has caused him to question whether or not the City's heritage tree ordinance is appropriate. When he first visited the property, he had a hard time believing the trees were heritage trees, as they seemed more like overgrown bushes that had not been pruned in 50 years and did not appear to have a defined trunk. Clearly, the Black Walnut and Cedar trees are heritage trees, but he thinks staff and the Planning Commission came to the correct conclusions. He also recognized the number of residents concerned about the future direction of their neighborhood who do not feel they have been listened to. They want to be part of the upfront planning process, and he agrees that development should engage the neighborhood. He acknowledged concerns about development over time affecting neighborhoods and citywide traffic, parking issues, said the developer needs to work with residents to assure their input is heard, and supported approval of the project. Vice-Mayor Cook Kallio outlined her extensive communication with residents, the developer, and staff, and recognized the value of being actively engaged. She referred to the tree report and clarified that even with pruning there are inherent structural problems that will never go away due to topping the trees. She thinks the City is balancing what the neighborhood wants and what the property owner wants, and supported looking at neighborhood preservation. She thinks balancing the idea that there are modest-sized homes proposed near the downtown in a City that has not built many of them is good for new homebuyers. Regarding train noise, houses are built next to fire and police departments and places with episodic noise, and while not pleasant, she would be more concerned if she thought it produced long-term damage. Lastly, she asked for the applicant's help in mitigating the solar panel issue either by moving the chimney or putting some other kind of insulation there to allow the PV panels to get the maximum amount of sun. Councilmember Sullivan said he has several concerns which have not been alleviated since the last hearing. He would not want to see the old house demolished, thinks Ms. Garbarino's comments were accurate, arid felt that over time, these older homes will be gone. He agrees the City needs to do some work on its guidelines, opposes having the trees removed and echoed Ms. Cruzan's remarks regarding replacing 100 year old trees with homes. Regarding noise issues, he thinks the train noise will be a significant quality of life issue for many residents both in the daytime and evening hours. Councilmember Sullivan said he has always been supportive of higher densities downtown, but it depends on how it is done. He suggested that the development might be better designed as multi- family and close to the same number of units, concentrating them on the center of the site to preserve the existing house and moving units away from the railroad tracks. Lastly, there is significant neighborhood opposition to this project with petitions, people attending all Council and City Council Minutes Page 11 of 16 September 6, 2011