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Councilmember McGovern referred to the west Foothill overlay and confirmed with Mr. Iserson <br /> that this was an ordinance approved by the Council, and that a majority of the Council could <br /> change this to remove it. <br /> Mayor Hosterman invited public comment. <br /> Mary Roberts said protections have been in place and what the Council is doing right now is an <br /> after-the-fact action, given what has occurred with Oak Grove. One of the reasons the Council <br /> did not move on at the time was because property owners and neighbors were still in <br /> discussions regarding the Linn property and it was the Council's preference to see the <br /> conclusion of negotiations rather than introduce a new land use policy at that time. Then the <br /> Initiative came along. <br /> Patrick Castanos, Greenbriar Homes, said the City regulates hillside development, encourages <br /> preserving trees and habitats, many existing regulations were the result of well-thought out <br /> processes and if it is determined additional regulations are needed, a similar process should be <br /> used to create such regulations. He encouraged the Council to create a process to create city- <br /> initiated hillside protection regulations to augment existing policies and place this on the ballot in <br /> November. He believes the PUD process has been successful, believes he vague initiative <br /> presented tonight threatens such carefully planned communities and discussed location of units <br /> and issues affecting their development. <br /> Anne Childs supported an Initiative on the ballot in November, expressed her personal <br /> admiration and thanks to Councilmembers McGovern and Sullivan who have been supportive of <br /> putting the issues out for public scrutiny. <br /> Bill Hirst said he along with 8 other families have owned the Castle Ridge properties for many <br /> years, urged the Council not to adopt a regulation that would deprive them of the opportunity to <br /> construct up to 9 homes on the property which consists of 230 acres and he urged the Council <br /> to reject the option reflected in the bullet on page 5. <br /> Kevin Close voiced concerns which included streets and roads getting to developments in the <br /> 25% slope restrictions, the Happy Valley Specific Plan, the bypass road for the golf course, and <br /> the proposed development in the flat areas, as even the alternate route will be graded at greater <br /> than 25% slope. He said the bypass road is mitigation for the development's homes and the golf <br /> course and the developer only has rights to 102 units if it dedicates 50 acres of dedicated open <br /> space. <br /> Karla Brown said the Initiative qualified and it will be on the ballot in November, said voters need <br /> the ridgeline ordinance a part of the General Plan, discussed protections needing to be in place <br /> and Oak Grove development slopes. <br /> Carolyn Newton urged the Council to approve the proposed hillside Initiative and if there is a <br /> delay, developers will rush to move forward and get their plans approved, expressed her <br /> appreciation to Councilmembers McGovern and Sullivan for their work in saving the City's hills. <br /> Julie Testa thanked staff for the visual presentation of what a 25% slope looks like, supported a <br /> hillside ordinance, and said the citizen activism process corrects the oversight of the restrictions <br /> currently in place. <br /> City Council Minutes 9 May 20, 2008 <br />