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primary focus in looking at land use is that any development that occurs should benefit the entire <br /> community and not just those living and working in the immediate area. They would seek to balance <br /> development with infrastructure costs and provide the type of flexibility needed to make this a <br /> successful long-term planning guide. The Task Force envisions a low-intensity nix of uses arranged <br /> around a central community area that potentially includes all land uses listed in the General Plan as <br /> well as open space and parks, housing, retail or commercial, and some light office or industrial. <br /> Development should be part of a balanced citywide approach to meeting the policies, guidelines and <br /> housing goals of the General Plan as well of the long-term requirements of the Regional Housing <br /> Needs Assessment (RHNA). The Task Force also believes the plan should consider relocation of <br /> Pleasanton Garbage and the City's Operations Service Center, as both present significant constraints <br /> to adjacent development. <br /> With regard to open space and sustainability, the Task Force has a keen interest in providing ample <br /> open space and parks to help meet the active and passive recreation needs of the community and <br /> protect existing natural resources. There is considerable support for trails and a special concern for <br /> safety, all with a focus on sustainability and economic balance. In approaching circulation, the Task <br /> Force would like to minimize or reduce traffic congestion and noise on outlying streets and <br /> neighborhoods. They envision a well-connected planning area with a specific type of circulation <br /> system that includes tree-lined streets, bike paths, pedestrian trails and linkages to natural resources <br /> and regional trail systems. The Task Force also recognizes that El Charro will be the largest road in <br /> the area and would like to remain mindful of not dividing the community through its development. <br /> Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing and seeing no speakers, closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Pentin said there no aspect of the Vision Statement he would disagree with if planning <br /> a utopia but there are some concepts he would like to see further developed as this moves forward. <br /> He said he would like to see phasing options, a greater analysis of how the different types of land uses <br /> would affect the larger community and how that plays into existing or planned development, especially <br /> in terms of workforce and low-income housing, and future RHNA renditions beyond 2014. He referred <br /> to a letter contained in the staff report that talks about demanding the best technology, which he <br /> supported. <br /> Councilmember Brown noted that as a Task Force member, she has had more opportunity to review <br /> and digest the information. She quoted the General Plan, which states "scenic views should be <br /> protected and lake areas should serve as urban separators," and said she interp'eted that as more of <br /> a separation between the two cities as opposed to a visual separator. She referred to the land use <br /> section, which states "planned area development should generally be considered low intensity," and <br /> asked how that differs from low density. <br /> Mr. Dolan said low intensity is a more generalized term that speaks to both density and floor area ratio <br /> and can apply to several types of land uses, whereas low density typically refers to residential uses. <br /> Councilmember Brown also read that "land use should take into account school needs, airport <br /> noise..." and asked whether any consideration was given to airport safety. <br /> Mr. Dolan said there is an assumption that in complying with the limits imposed by the airport <br /> protection zone they are being safe. <br /> Councilmember Brown said she has heard from a number of citizens concerned about the funding of <br /> El Charro and asked what level of development, or number of units, it would take to finance the <br /> project. Her concern was that funding such significant infrastructure through development would result <br /> in such an intense land use that it would be impossible not to burden the existing community. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 13 January 15, 2013 <br />