01 - Laserfiche WebLink

here—it is just one house, one request and then another and another, and the extraordinary beauty of the community will be gone. She was not sure Mr. Cunningham was seeking 1800 square feet and getting a compromise of 1500 or 1400 square feet. She was actually not convinced he would move into the house. Frankly, once everybody leaves here tonight, there really is not much neighbors can do if he chooses to rent out the home. Most sincerely, Mr. Cunningham could change the design of the house. It is without question that Mr. Huff could use his talents to design a home that falls within the guidelines. She is disappointed that he would come to their neighborhood and choose to tear down and ignore guidelines. Mark Kearns, business owner and resident, said he has been through this process for a building at 261 Spring Street. He bought it and had a demolition permit on it. He built it to fit the neighborhood and everybody has been very happy with the way it turned out. He almost feels like the Cunningham's characters have been attacked. Their intentions are very good. Once they finish the home, everybody will be proud of the end product. They have made so many changes and compromises of the existing mass and he really feels this will be a great thing for that lot and fit very well. Phillip Vermont stated that he has not been retained by the Cunningham's, is a local real estate attorney and has been involved in 100 cases regarding valuation of properties, what sells and what makes properties valuable. He is not friends with the Cunningham's and said the building at 205 Neal Street is not a cottage; it is a shack or garage. People are here talking about tearing down a shack to replace it with a true home that would look more historical than the current residence there now. The project is good for Pleasanton, fits completely with many other homes in the neighborhood, and 1500 or 1800 square feet is a minor small home and below the average size of the area. He believes it fits as it is similar looking to so many other homes that have been approved in the area. In looking at the size of the two neighbor's homes, including the Bourg's, while the Bourg's are complaining, their home itself has a garage or a ceramic shop right on the property line, they have two stories, the setbacks are less than what the Cunningham's are asking for and there is a double standard. He asked the Council to look at fairness and what is right and in his view, the Council must apply the rules equally. When the rules say you consider this as one lot, the Council is obligated to consider this as one lot. Just because of personal opinions, it cannot change the rules. He has no doubt that values in the neighborhood will be increased across the board. He voiced concern because this is a dangerous precedent—when the Council allows the neighbors to have variances, elements, small setbacks, but yet they decide not to allow it for a citizen. He asked the Council to grant the project. Mike Peel, 39 year resident, said he has seen how development has taken place and the great Councils in the past. He is a board member of the Pleasanton Downtown Association, Chair of the Design and Beautification Committee, and the Cunningham's brought their project to their committee even though they have no authority to say yes or no. There was never an objection to their project. The Harvey's also brought their design to the committee and there was also no objection. He said the average male lifespan is 78.6 years. Mr. Cunningham is 64 years old and has spent 3 years on the project. If he has 14 years left, the City has taken 21.4% of his remaining life on this project. Mike Chandler, 41 year resident and realtor, said he believes it is very important to keep downtown Pleasanton vibrant and seeing what Livermore has done on First Street with new restaurants, theaters, and businesses, he does not want to see Pleasanton fall behind. The project is something that brings that vibrancy back to Pleasanton and you cannot stop projects from happening. The Rose Hotel used to be St. Vincent de Paul. The old Colin Hardware is now Co-America Bank. The Pleasanton Hotel now handles Red Coats and the Church of the Divine Man. All these are upgrades and examples of how change is necessary. Upgrading homes and properties is also important to the vitality. He has researched the project which was approved by the Planning Commission and it maintains high integrity and vitality of the downtown. Neil Nostrand, 4698 Second Street, said he and his wife have always been supportive of well- conceived projects that follow the rules, rules that are set forth in the code, and in the DSP guidelines. City Council Minutes Page 15 of 26 February 7,2012