RES 12493 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comment Letter 2 Janice Stem November 9, 2011 Page Two that two (2) of the four(4) story office buildings are situated directly on Valley Avenue. For A the reasons stated, the DSEIR should delete the finding that Site 7 will have a significant 2-3 impact on visual resources and instead find that the impact is less than significant after Cont. compliance with General Plan policies. — Site 7 Should he Included in Alternative 2 The DSEIR analyzed four alternatives (excluding the no project alternative), including the "Transit Oriented Alternative" (Alternative 2). Site 7 is not included in Alternative 2, even though it provides as good or better access to transit than many of the other sites included in 2-4 Alternative 2. For that reason, Pleasanton Gateway requests that the City add Site 7 to Alternative 2. — The DSEIR describes Alternative 2 as focusing on those sites in close proximity to transit. Immediately adjacent to Site 7 at the corner of Bernal and Valley is a prominent stop for the Route 8 bus line. Route 8 provides direct access to two of the key destinations for those seeking to travel without use of a private automobile: the BART station and downtown Pleasanton. Route 8 also provides an easy link to the ACE Train station. Additionally, Site 2-5 7 has a bus stop and shelter currently in place on Valley Avenue. This was a requirement of the original Bernal Specific Plan in anticipation of development and the need for a bus line to this area. Further, a"transit oriented" project should account for not just the ability to take a bus or BART, but also pedestrian linkages to basic needs and services. Site 7 is situated within easy walking and biking distance from a new shopping center, the Bernal Park and schools. — The DSEIR limited Alternative 2 sites to only those that are proximate to BART and Route — 10. It is unclear why the DSEIR limited consideration to only Route 10, particularly where the access it provides to important destinations like downtown or the Senior Center is not as 2-6 good as that provided by Route 8. The DSEIR also does not account for the travel distance between the closest bus stop and the BART station or whether the sites are located next to a major stop. — "TOD" projects are defined more than just by adjacency to transportation corridors. They are more fully characterized by proximity to neighborhood serving amenities, schools, parks, etc, that serve to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled. Site 7's characteristics 2-7 embody that definition and throughout the City sponsored Housing Element Update process, this site was repeatedly identified as an ideal "TOD" site. Pleasanton Gateway would thereby request that we be added to the Alternative 2 list of projects. sf-3068668