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DRAFT Ms. Garbarino stated that as a Task Force member, she realized and found out a lot of things that she did not know. She thanked Mr. Dolan because he came in with a fresh set of eyes, having worked in Vallejo and Palo Alto and knows what types of things look like and how they work with regard to historic property. She stated that she thinks that is important because he was able to look at documents and to point out issues that needed to be changed that were definitely important for the Task Force members to look at and to be consistent. Ms. Garbarino stated that the Task Force looked at the 1942 date and there are approximately 266 homes in that Downtown Specific Planning Area which will go through the rigors of the California Register criteria. She indicated that a question came up at this morning's meeting about who would certify home as a historic resource. She noted that a professional group with credentials will come and do that certification. She added that this has always been required and that Mr. Dolan has been very adamant about that and she respects that. Ms. Garbarino stated that the Task Force members learned a lot of good things; they also learned about bad decisions that some cities have made and looked at what they have done. She noted that not having some sort of regulations really have negative impacts on the entire look and vitality of a city. She added that the good things that they have learned about cities is that good decisions protect the local history while fostering innovative renovations and enhancements and adaptive reuses which is important and really supports the commercial vitality. She pointed to the Firehouse Arts Center as one example in town that is an adaptive reuse and has been helpful to the vitality of the Downtown, and which is very much supported in these recommendations. Ms. Garbarino stated that property values are important to everyone and is probably the single most important and most critical expense that people make as individuals. She stated that property owners want to protect their property values, but if there is no sort of sense that those property values are going to be overseen and that the property itself is going to be protected, something could happen to those homes — and it has happened to homes — and changes have been made within the Downtown context area that have negatively impacted and would negatively impact the property values of people's homes. She stated that this is why it is important to have somebody overseeing that. She indicated that neighbors should not be pitted against one another to oversee that; it needs to come to the Planning Commission, go to the Council and then the staff does that oversight. She noted that that will save the Commission a tremendous amount of problems in the future. Ms. Garbarino stated that the members also learned that the primary reason people move to Pleasanton is because of schools and the historic charm. She noted that the guidelines being proposing to the Commission will enhance the historic neighborhoods, and since the Downtown Specific Plan Area ties past, present, and future together, it is important that people see what the Downtown was at the beginning and what the property owners have done that made it look like it is, including transitions that are comfortable and look good through making enhancements to existing homes, adding on, remodeling, or building new structures. DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 11/13/2013 Page 14 of 28