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Councilmember Cook-Kallio acknowledged Councilmember Brown's point regarding the General Plan <br /> cycle but said she recalled discussing east Pleasanton as part of the previous plan. <br /> Mr. Fialho said there was discussion in the 1996 General Plan to plan for the area but more specific <br /> discussion in terms of potential outcome and the need for a Specific Plan did not occur until the current <br /> General Plan. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked and staff confirmed that this is essentially the last area of vacant <br /> land that would come under a Specific Plan. <br /> Vice-Mayor Pentin asked how many residential units were constructed during the last RHNA planning <br /> period, though he did acknowledge the economic crisis taking place at the time. <br /> Mr. Fialho estimated less than 300 units. Mr. Dolan added that only 20 building permits were issued in <br /> 2009. <br /> Councilmember Brown noted that the housing cap had not yet been overturned in 2009. She asked <br /> whether staff had any indication of close the city is to the 29,000 unit cap at present. <br /> Ms. Stern stated there were approximately 26,174 units as of January 1, 2013. With the addition of <br /> other pending or mid-construction process developments, the present total would be approximately <br /> 28,200. <br /> Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing. <br /> Rick Irby said he has been a member of the Pleasanton community for 70 years. He said his mother's <br /> final request before her passing last year was that the family farm, situated right in the heart of <br /> Pleasanton, be developed with housing so that others may benefit from the value of life in Pleasanton. <br /> Ingrid Wetmore said she spoke on behalf of residents of the Parkside neighborhood. Given the most <br /> recent report outlined the city's revised RHNA obligation for 2014-2022, she requested that the city <br /> rezone the remaining half of parcel #9 from the Summerhill development to commercial from <br /> residential. She said their neighborhood fully supports delaying completion of the East Pleasanton <br /> Specific Plan until after the community can fully evaluate the effects of other approved developments <br /> on the city's infrastructure. <br /> Mayor Thorne asked when the rezoning issue would come forward to the Council. <br /> Mr. Fialho explained that it would come forward as part of the Housing Element update, likely in the <br /> October/November timeframe. <br /> Kelly Cousins, East Pleasanton Specific Plan Task Force, said that the task force's discussion and <br /> ultimate selection of a preferred plan was largely based on RHNA numbers that are no longer relevant. <br /> She felt strongly that the community wants smart growth and does not support any more housing than <br /> is absolutely necessary. She questioned the wisdom of continuing a process that will ultimately be <br /> obsolete. She said she strongly favored postponing completion of the Specific Plan, despite what so <br /> many have invested in the process, and urged the Council to support a more cautious approach to <br /> development on the east side. <br /> Arne Olson said he felt strongly that the planning process should continue as planned. He said that to <br /> stop now is disrespectful to all those who have invested significant time and money and sends a <br /> message to both the community and the state that is not in keeping with a community of planned <br /> progress. He agreed that the community feels the process has moved too quickly and thought that, <br /> rather than abandoning the plan, it would be beneficial to slow down and do a more thorough job of <br /> outreach and education. He felt particular focus should be given to educating citizens on the role that <br /> City Council Minutes Page 7 of 12 March 4, 2014 <br />