PC 030911 - Laserfiche WebLink

have been provided to weave through this. He noted that both sides of the issue have been frustrated: people who are interested in preserving more, and people who are more interested in fewer regulations. He pointed out that there are definitely some improvements that can be made, and possibly have a dialogue that reaffirms where the positions really are with respect to community values because some of the policies and programs definitely need to be revisited. Mr. Dolan indicated that he will not propose any ideas for change or any suggestions at this meeting, but rather, just concentrate primarily on what the City has and what it is working with now. He added that he has no preconceived ideas about where to go from here, and while he has given it a lot of thought, he has not yet come to any conclusion. Commissioner Blank stated that to the best of his knowledge, the DTSP and the General Plan provide guidance on historic preservation, but this is not addressed in the Pleasanton Municipal Code (PMC), which is the enforcement document. Mr. Dolan agreed. He indicated that the DTSP anticipated that the City would be adopting a historic preservation ordinance; however, it is not cut and dry because a specific plan can be prepared that is very regulatory. He noted that State law describes a specific plan as a document that borrows something from the General Plan level but can also incorporate zoning regulations in it. Commissioner Blank stated that there have been many times when he has seen DTSP items overturned either by the Planning Commission or City Council for other interests, no matter how clear the language is. He indicated that it does not appear to him that specific plans carry the same weight that municipal regulations do. He noted that what the PMC states provides very strong guidance that is very hard to make exception to, while a specific plan is a plan and the General Plan is a plan, and when things are aligned properly, the Planning Commission or the City Council seem to be able to undo them. Mr. Dolan acknowledged that this as a legitimate concern and stated that some materials are written in ways that are meant to be interpreted on a case-by-case basis. He noted that sometimes the direction is quite explicit, but the next page states something just as explicit but contradictory. He indicated that the intention is not to do that, although it does exist in some cases. General Plan Mr. Dolan referred to page 7-35 of the General Plan and cited the Cultural and Historical Designate, preserve, and protect the archaeological and historic resources within the Pleasanton Planning Area.and Policy Preserve and rehabilitate those cultural and historic resources which are significant to Pleasanton because of their age, appearance, or history. He indicated that he would not focus on the archaeological topic which is altogether different and has not been problematic. He noted that both the goal and the policy are very straight-forward. He then read PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, March 9, 2011 Page 3 of 24