CCMIN010412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Bob Lemmons, Verona Homeowners Association Board of Directors and across the street from the Nearon site, said several years ago the site was proposed for residential and 83% of their residents were opposed primarily because of loss of home values and traffic issues. The site density is now increased and the parcel small with one entrance. The community center was recently constructed with an additional 200+ cars on weekends, and he voiced concern that the added density will greatly affect residents. Joe McAdams, Verona Homeowners Association Board of Directors, asked the Council to modify Site 9 Nearon properties' classification from the 30 units per acre to match the Verona density per acre similar to what is being proposed for Site 7 feathering. The Verona development and Site 9 are very close to each other and only separated by West Las Positas. At the present time residents have no concept that the site will house 30 units to the acre. While he understands the time constraint, he asked the Council to either remove the site from tonight's action or allow more time for residents to make their feelings known to the Council. Scott Raty, Chamber of Commerce, congratulated the work of the Housing Task Force, staff, Council and Planning Commission and in meeting the state and the court's requirements for workforce housing. With the final number 200+ units above the minimum requirement, they have heard some comments that this is too many as well as not enough cushion. Given the uncertainty of HCD's final conclusion, they feel it is safer to err on the side of caution and staff's recommendation to include those extra units and more importantly, they believe it is important to include a powerful message with the final plan that will help HCD view the City's work with confidence and ask that they concur with the Planning Commission's recommendation of December 14th to recommend that the East Side Specific Plan be completed and adopted by the second quarter of 2013. In doing this, it will demonstrate to HCD that Pleasanton has no intention of being put in such a precarious position again, and as a community, they are committed to the timeline. It will also communicate a message of certainty to all property owners involved. He concluded stating that Pleasanton remains in charge of its own future and not allowing this to fall into the hands of the state or the court, and he asked the Council to adopt the December 14th recommendation. Stacey Borsody said she served on the Housing Task Force, commended everyone involved and thanked staff for meeting the court-mandated deadlines. She referred to the cushion proposed and questioned why would the Council approve a surplus of units, felt there is a risk that sites will be rejected, and urged the Council to ensure they have a clear understanding of what this risk is. HCD submitted their letter with issues on some sites which staff adequately addressed, but she questioned real impacts on the community for some sites. She also felt extra time was needed to plan for increased growth and surplus and its impact on schools. Pat Costanzo stated he is representing the Kiewit property, thanked everybody for the collaborative process, and said he thinks the outcome has been good except for the fact that their site was removed. He presented on December 6 as to why they believe their site should be rezoned, given ratings and distribution of density. He believes the site is under-allocated its fair share of high density, and the east side existing plus proposed is only 9.6% of all high density in town. Therefore, they feel strongly that the Kiewit site be rezoned and while they know the Council will most likely not approve this, he asked for the Council's support in moving forward the Specific Plan on the timeline submitted to HCD. They are prepared to commit resources to make this happen to create a great plan. Mayor Hosterman said the community will go through the process of studying the east side in a comprehensive manner according to a timeline adopted by the Council. Valerie Arkin recommended against 100% affordable housing in any certain development and asked that it be dispersed throughout a development and intermingled which is the City's current practice. She City Council Minutes Page 9 of 13 January 4,2012