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provide them. Many times applicants choose not to install them, mostly because of the added expense or the applicant feels they are unnecessary. Story poles were discussed by the Task Force as useful a tool to ensure the surrounding neighbors are aware of what the proposed home or addition would look like in terms of its height and mass before a decision is made by the City. A similar sentiment was also stated by Councilmember Brown at the Council check-in. The Task Force is recommending that the following section be added to the Design Review Chapter (Chapter 18.20) of the Municipal Code: If determined to be necessary by the zoning administrator or planning commission, an applicant for a new house within the Downtown Specific Plan Area or a two-story addition to an existing house within the Downtown Specific Plan Area shall install story poles depicting the height and mass of the proposed house or addition subject to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator or planning commission. Unless otherwise directed by the zoning administrator or planning commission,the story poles shall be installed by the applicant prior to public noticing and shall remain in place until the project has been acted upon. Demolition by Neglect As described by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, "Demolition by Neglect" is the term used to describe a situation in which a property owner intentionally allows a historic property to suffer severe deterioration, potentially beyond the point of repair. Property owners may use this kind of long-term neglect to circumvent historic preservation regulations. Section 18.74.200 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code currently addresses demolition by neglect for non-single family homes (e.g., multi-family dwellings and commercial structures) within the Downtown Revitalization District only, which is smaller area than the Downtown Specific Plan Area. The draft code amendment would add a new section to the City's Property Maintenance Chapter(Chapter 9.28) which would apply to all structures within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. The proposed new text is shown below (other minor changes would need to be made to two other sections of the Property Maintenance Chapter, which are shown in Exhibit C): 9.28.025 Demolition by Neglect Every person in possession or control of a building and appurtenant premises in the Downtown Specific Plan Area shall maintain and keep in good repair such building and premises. "Good repair"means and includes that level of maintenance and repair which: (1)clearly ensures the continued availability of such building and premises for lawful reasonable uses; (2)prevents deterioration, dilapidation, and decay of any exterior portion of such building and premises; and(3) prevents deterioration, dilapidation, and decay of interior portions whose maintenance is necessary to prevent deterioration, dilapidation, and decay of an exterior feature. General Plan Amendments The General Plan currently states in two locations that the City will adopt a historic preservation ordinance. Based on the City Council's prior direction that they did not wish to create a historic P13-2446/P13-4447/P13-4448 Page - 9- November 13, 2013