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Christine Bourg said she renovated and modernized her own Victorian home while still following nearly <br /> everything discussed in the proposed amendments. Conversely, she has seen many heritage homes <br /> lost to inappropriate remodeling. She said she attended most of the task force meetings and supports <br /> all recommendations, particularly with respect to the bulk and mass issue. The recommended action <br /> helps increase compatibility and safeguards surrounding property owners and should also minimize <br /> disputes at the neighborhood, Planning Commission and City Council levels. She asked the Council to <br /> consider revisiting the Mills Act at some point in order to further encourage appropriate restoration. <br /> David Stark, Public Affairs Director for Bay East Association of Realtors, said he appreciated the task <br /> force's effort and delayed action by the Council tonight. He said he supported the intent of the <br /> recommendations but that there is still room for improvement. Given the input provided thus far, the <br /> issue really comes down to certainty for both the public and real estate professionals. He said that while <br /> the task force has devised a clever and unique way of addressing FAR, it only adds more uncertainty to <br /> the process. He encouraged the Council to review the minutes of the last Commission meeting and to <br /> take that discussion to heart. <br /> Charles Huff agreed that the proposed method of calculating FAR is too complicated to provide the <br /> average person with any certainty. He said that as an architect, he has worked with several very <br /> restrictive communities and even they have decided not to adopt all standards set forth by the <br /> Secretary of the Interior. He agreed that a cutoff date of 1929 or 1930 might be more appropriate than <br /> 1942, which would affect many homes in the area that don't necessarily have historic value. <br /> Dorothy Nesbitt said she was a historic preservationist by trade and explained that historic looking <br /> buildings are not the same as historic buildings. She cautioned against creating so many exceptions to <br /> historic preservation that the homes really end up not being historic at all. <br /> Rob Dondero said the proposed amendments do not represent progress, clarity or certainty. He <br /> suggested that downtown Pleasanton is more of a "restomod" district than historic district and <br /> encouraged the Council to keep in mind that many wonderfully creative features of the town are not <br /> historic but are nonetheless of great value. <br /> Mayor Thorne continued the public hearing to January 21, 2014. <br /> 14. Public Hearing: P13-2449, City of Pleasanton —Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance <br /> No. 2086 to amend Title 18 (Zoning) of the Pleasanton Municipal Code to modify Chapter 18.110 <br /> (Personal Wireless Service Facilities); and Sections 18.28.040 (Agricultural District), 18.32.050 <br /> (R-1 One-Family Residential Districts); 18.36.030 (RM Multi-Family Residential Districts); <br /> 18.36.040 (RM Multi-Family Residential Districts); 18.40.030 (0 Office District); 18.40.040 (0 <br /> Office District); 18.44.090 (C Commercial Districts); and 18.56.040 (P Public and Institutional <br /> District). These amendments modify the existing code for cellular antennas and equipment <br /> including the locational, design, and processing standards. The amendments also remove the <br /> locational restrictions currently imposed on other uses seeking to locate within 300 feet of an <br /> existing facility, e.g., nursing homes, assisted living facilities, private schools, and childcare <br /> centers. <br /> Assistant City Attorney Julie Harryman presented the staff report, stating that in 2012 the City initiated a <br /> business survey which revealed that local businesses felt broadband and cellular infrastructure was <br /> deficient. Earlier this year the City Council directed staff to perform an Infrastructure Development <br /> Assessment to address poor coverage. As noted in emails received after this meeting was noticed, <br /> residents are requesting improved cellular service to meet work, quality of life and public safety needs. <br /> When asked about the need for better services, carriers said they are having difficulty meeting the <br /> growing needs of the community because the City's current Wireless Ordinance is overly restrictive and <br /> makes it difficult to locate necessary new facilities. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 13 of 20 December 17, 2013 <br />