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ATTACHMENT 8 LAW OFFICE PETER MACDONALD 400 MAIN STREET, SUITE 210 PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA 94566-7371 (925)462-0191 FAX (925)462-0404 pmacdonald @macdonaldlaw.net November 10, 2013 Planning Commission City of Pleasanton 200 Old Bernal Avenue PO Box 520 Pleasanton, CA 94566 Subject: Item 6.c., November 13, 2013 Agenda Comments on Proposed Historic Preservation Policies Honorable Members of the Planning Commission, In the 30 plus years since I moved to Pleasanton, both the commercial and residential areas of downtown Pleasanton have blossomed with quality new construction, substantial historic preservation, and increased vitality. Most of those property improvements would not have been permitted under a strict architectural control regime, such as the Historic Preservation Policies that are under consideration. My concern is that without some moderating amendments, the proposed Historic Preservation Policies will bring zoning blight to downtown Pleasanton, fossilizing decrepit and mediocre buildings with strict and overly prescriptive architectural regulation. Over most of the past 30 years, in reviewing projects, the City consistently opted for a standard of neighborhood compatibility, and in support of property improvements, while keeping a lighter touch on architectural controls and historic preservation, even allowing variances until recently. Yet, many worthy historic enhancements came from this moderate approach to historic preservation, rather than aggressively pushing for archival restoration of elderly buildings. Downtown character has been enhanced through reconstruction and replacement of historic structures (e.g. Spring Street, Kolln Hardware, Veterans Building), adaptive re-use of older buildings (e.g. Firehouse Art Center, Baci Restaurant building), and imitation of historic styles in brand new construction (e.g. Vaughn Building, Tully's corner), most of which would not have been permitted under a strict historic preservation regime.