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The Pleasanton General Plans, dating back many years, caution against building <br /> roads on slopes greater than 15%; actually, in the November 29, 2005 Land Use <br /> Joint Workshop, Planning Director Jerry Iserson clarified Pleasanton's policy on <br /> road construction by stating, "Public streets are not allowed to be built in <br /> Pleasanton on anything greater than a 15% slope." Yet, here you are tonight <br /> discussing the possibility of constructing roads on slopes greater than 25%; you <br /> are discussing slopes approaching twice the limit for Pleasanton roads. <br /> The Planning Commission has previously, unanimously determined 5-0 that <br /> streets and roads were structures, in agreement with the city municipal code <br /> definition as well as California statute definitions, and forwarded their finding to <br /> the City Council. The City Council followed by unanimously agreeing 5-0 that <br /> streets and roads were structures. <br /> Our voters have successfully referended, more than once, council decisions they <br /> felt were unacceptable for our hillsides and open spaces. Measure PP was <br /> perceived as a final fix to that problem, eliminating the need for future lawsuits <br /> and referendums. The Planning staff is stating that the Lund Ranch II <br /> development will not be able to access Sunset Creek Lane or Sycamore Creek <br /> Way without crossing slopes greater than 25%; yet there is a lawful alternative, <br /> as access via Lund Ranch Road is flat and therefore permissible under PP. <br /> The city now needs to support the citizens that overwhelmingly passed Measure <br /> PP, without exception. Streets and roads are structures and any exceptions to <br /> Measure PP need to be approved by the voters. <br /> The Planning Commission should: <br /> 1. Direct staff to replace the deleted wording of section 18.70.020 Applicability, <br /> paragraph C, in the Revised Staff Memorandum dated March 13, 2013; <br /> Paragraph C should read: <br /> C. Grading to construct the above-referenced residential or commercial <br /> structures is prohibited and grading to construct public and private <br /> streets for these developments is also prohibited on slopes of 25% or <br /> greater, or within 100 vertical feet of a ridgeline. <br /> 2. Then recommend approval of the Draft Chapter 18.70 to the City Council. <br /> Thank you, <br /> Greg O'Connor <br />