Laserfiche WebLink
task force to work with stakeholders to develop a plan that, at minimum, addresses its own workforce <br /> housing needs. <br /> Pat Belding, Citizens for a Caring Community, said the East Pleasanton Specific Plan area contains the <br /> last remaining chunk of land available for new planning purposes. She requested that the Council <br /> establish priorities to include a non-profit development as one of these planned uses. The Council failed <br /> to implement such priorities with recent high density projects and as a result, land whose zoning was <br /> intended to accommodate affordable housing consists of largely profit making development. 49% of <br /> Pleasanton workers are eligible for low and very low income housing, yet recent approvals yield only <br /> 15% affordability and give that land to middle or upper middle income residents. She asked the city to <br /> go beyond the state's directives for affordable housing and provide its own leadership by planning <br /> housing to match its jobs. <br /> Carol Cohen, Ironwood resident, stated concern for the preferred plan. Her concerns result from the <br /> undoubtedly high infrastructure costs developers will incur, which will require the maximum allowed <br /> development in order to achieve financial feasibility. She stated concern that east Pleasanton is being <br /> saddled with a disproportionately high number of units due to its open space and perceived ability to <br /> get approvals without neighborhood opposition. She said Ironwood residents would be significantly <br /> impacted by any development in the plan area, particularly with regards to traffic and schools. She <br /> asked the Council to address these impacts and provide mitigations before committing to a preferred <br /> plan. She requested a show of hands from Ironwood residents supporting her comments. <br /> Jim Farrell, Ironwood resident, said he is very concerned with existing traffic conditions on Valley <br /> Avenue. He said he recently drove Valley between Stanley Boulevard and Santa Rita during both AM <br /> and PM peak hours and reported travel times ranging from 2 minutes 45 seconds to 4 minutes 44 <br /> seconds. He asked that the Council take this into consideration when making a decision. <br /> Julie Testa stated that term "preferred plan" implies an absolute bias. She noted that only 11 of 19 task <br /> force members supported the plan and said the term implies an untrue preference. She asked the <br /> Council to take the voter approved Urban Growth Boundary as seriously as was intended and said new <br /> growth absolutely must pay for itself. She stated that every Pleasanton school exceeds enrollment <br /> levels identified in the General Plan as well as state recommendations. These levels continue to <br /> increase while the available land does not. She applauded the school district for finally being honest <br /> about its needs and abilities, but said this does nothing to address issue. She said that continuing to <br /> move forward with project approvals without addressing schools would undoubtedly condemn existing <br /> residents to a bond in order to absorb the burden of new growth. <br /> Colleen Winey, Zone 7, spoke to some of the conceptual challenges associated with the plan <br /> alternatives. She said the Zone 7 board has expressed a willingness to work with the city and entertain <br /> proposals in this regard, but is committed first to meeting its water supply and flood control goals. Zone <br /> 7 is not a parks partner. Therefore, any capital costs associated with facilities, improvements, <br /> operations and maintenance of recreation facilities on Zone 7 property would need to be taken on by an <br /> outside agency. The Chain of Lakes is a critical component of future operations although the lake uses <br /> have not been fully identified. Zone 7 has prepared a lake use evaluation which will be presented to the <br /> board tomorrow evening. At this time, Zone 7 staff is recommending no body contact for Lakes H and I. <br /> Cope Lake may also be impractical due to drastic changes in water level. She invited the Council and <br /> public to view the full evaluation on the Zone 7 website. <br /> Councilmember Brown asked if the variability in water levels at Cope Lake means that it could be <br /> unsuitable for swimming at times. <br /> Ms. Winey explained that Cope Lake is much shallower than its neighboring groundwater lakes. Staff <br /> has identified storm water detention as a likely use, which does require periodic emptying of the lake in <br /> anticipation of a storm related water influx. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 14 October 15,2013 <br />