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SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL <br /> Pto\tided tto the City Council <br /> After Distribution of Packet <br /> Oat° . 5d6�-9 <br /> June 13, 2013 <br /> Dear Pleasanton City Council Members, <br /> I am not able to attend the City Council that will be checking in on the Historical Task <br /> force. Therefore I am writing my thoughts to you. Thank you for taking the time to read <br /> this. I will try to be brief. <br /> I have lived and worked in Pleasanton's downtown for 38 years. I care deeply about the <br /> downtown. Downtown Pleasanton is much more appealing today than it was in the <br /> early 1970's. A great many positive changes have been made to the downtown that <br /> wouldn't have been allowed if the proposals under review were in place. A great deal of <br /> downtown Pleasanton's charm is the eclectic nature of the architecture found there. <br /> We need to respect individual property rights and encourage participation by all <br /> citizens. <br /> I am opposed to the plans the Historical Task Force are proposing, although not a lot <br /> has been accomplished in fifteen months. Which structures are to be considered <br /> historic hasn't been defined. The three photographs included in the staff report are <br /> excellent examples of the improvement made to the downtown. The staff report says, <br /> "Some citizens felt" regarding each of the photos. I disagree with "some citizens"and <br /> think all three are dramatic improvements. This is all very subjective. <br /> Government wasn't instituted to control citizen's choice of doors, windows and <br /> hardware. This is definitely an overreach. The Pleasanton Historical Association has <br /> been given the power to question the types of doors, windows and hardware to be used <br /> by some well-meaning folks who have hired well known architects to plan their projects. <br /> The members of this association have no credentials in this field. They are neighbors. <br /> They have refused membership to Pleasanton citizens. <br /> I understand that the downtown specific plan can be confusing at times. The proper <br /> way to fix this is to amend those parts of the downtown specific plan that aren't clear. <br /> We do not need an additional layer of government to further control citizens. <br /> To this end, a group of us are circulating a petition. Please find the petition attached. I <br /> will continue to follow this issue closely. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Jan Batcheller <br />