CCMIN082013 - Laserfiche WebLink

unless proven otherwise and therefore not subject to historical limitations. The former would be presumed to of some significance and therefore subject to some level of protection, unless proven to be unworthy through qualified studies. He said it is his opinion that the applicant's study meets the intent of these standards and ultimately demonstrates that the community might be better served by allowing the applicant to replace a dilapidated and insignificant structure with 2 new homes. Scott Raty, Chamber of Commerce, said there is clear consensus that the existing mobile home park is an eyesore and the existing home is in need of substantial improvements. He stated that the Chamber has a long history in helping to identify the downtown as a vibrant business district and to discourage government interference from needlessly standing in the way of this revitalization. He said Ponderosa has long since set the bar for quality residential development in Pleasanton and cautioned that subjecting them to this drawn out process over a relatively small project would cause many to question the value of doing business here. He encouraged the Council to find that the existing home has no historic value and approve the 14 unit project. He asked whether other developments in the downtown has been subjected to requirements comparable to those being asked of Ponderosa, which include the $2,500 Bernal Park fee, dedicated easement, pedestrian connection to Vervais Avenue and park fees. Arne Olson, Planning Commission, noted he was absent from the Commission's July meeting. He stated for the record that he agreed with fellow Commission members that this is a wonderful project and that he was delighted to see the applicant present a design that responded to some of the concerns identified at the earlier workshop. However, he said he did not agree with the Commission's action and would have voted in favor of the project, with direction to staff to bifurcate the issue of the existing home. He said Ponderosa's core competency is new construction rather than rehabilitation, noted that recent information suggests a solution for the home is at hand, and asked the Council to approve the project. Emilie Cruzan strongly urged the Council to exhaust every measure in preserving the existing home, which she described as historic to the neighborhood and very similar in structural appearance to two lovely homes right on First Street. She felt that 14 homes would be a bit much for the proposed project site, which is situated along an already difficult and soon to become more difficult stretch of Stanley Boulevard. She felt that some sort of mixed use for the home would be an ideal compliment to surrounding uses and encouraged the Council to approve Option 1. Linda Garbarino said it is a rare opportunity for any elected body to be presented with a win-win, which is what the Council has in Option 1 and a buyer waiting to rehabilitate a historic home at the gateway to such a lovely project. She asked the Council to support Option 1. Peter MacDonald said he supported the preference of Ponderosa Homes. He expressed confusion over staff's determination to charge the applicant $30,000 for rehabilitation of the existing home but suggested that if Option 1 were approved, these funds should be dedicated to the home and not Bernal Park, regardless of whether the property is sold. Ms. Hardy thanked the public for their comments. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio requested clarification on the current agreement between Ponderosa Homes and Lutheran Church, the property owner. Ms. Hardy, Mr. Schrader, and Mr. Morris provided contradictory information, with the applicant believing they retained the option to purchase the existing home with the rest of the site depending on the Council's action and Mr. Morris believing this option had been relinquished the month before. Mr. Morris clarified that Ponderosa has retained its option on the remainder of the site and that the purchase price was reduced accordingly. City Council Minutes Page 8 of 10 August 20,2013