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Scott Raty, Chamber of Commerce, shared his support for both the Housing Element and staff recommendations. He stressed the importance of maintaining a state-certified Housing Element to minimizing the risk to local control. He said the city must provide for its fair share of the valley's housing need through 2025 and that this housing stock must be balanced and commensurate with the needs of employment in order to support the local economy. He acknowledged the concerns expressed over rapid growth and its impacts, but noted that the city developed an average of only 40 units per year from 2003 through 2009. 673 entitled units were approved in 2010; however, all but a few were part of a large senior housing project that has little impact on traffic and no impact on schools. In 2011, 42 units were entitled which is consistent with the previous average. Approvals again jumped in 2012 to 508 units, but again all but a few of these were part of a transit oriented project in Hacienda Business Park. Taken as a whole, these demonstrate a strong pattern of smart growth. Julie Testa stated that new growth should always pay for itself rather than burden existing tax-payers. She stated that every school campus in Pleasanton exceeds the enrollment standards identified in the General Plan and is seriously overcrowded by state standards. The school district has conceded that new schools are needed, but lacks both the plans and ability to do so. She said that to suggest School Impact Fees, even combined with gift fees, will mitigate new growth is disingenuous. She said she was displeased to see that the Background Report failed to include comments from the community workshop she attended or to reflect the passion and concern expressed over overcrowding in schools. She asked the Council and Mayor to stand up for this community as it should. Karen El!gas, Parkside, said she recognized that most on the Council agonized over the rezonings that were forced upon the city with the last update but said they now have another opportunity to demonstrate their regard for the public's wishes. She said the attitude of the community has always been one of slow growth and ask the Council to act accordingly. Mayor Thorne closed the public hearing. BREAK Mayor Thorne called for a brief recess from 9:41 p.m. to 9:54 p.m. Councilmember Brown requested confirmation that the city has opportunities to make changes to the Housing Element if it were to be rejected by the state. Mr. Dolan explained that HCD has a 60-day period to review and provide comments on the draft document, after which the city has a chance to respond by making the recommended changes. While there is an opportunity for some dialogue, there is not much of a negotiating process. Councilmember Brown asked when the final document is due. Mr. Dolan stated that the deadline for certification is January 31, 2015. Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she favored including policies that recognize the dynamic relationship between economic growth and workforce housing, as recommended by the Economic Vitality Committee's. She expressed concern over the presumption of some that the types of people who live in low and very low income housing are endemically different from everyone else, and reminded the public that everyone has to get their start somewhere. She noted that based on the data provided, the average income required to live even in high density housing in Pleasanton is well above what many would consider average. She explained that the benefit of having a certified Housing Element is the presumption that the city's planning efforts are legal, whereas the consequences of not having one are well documented and costly. While that does not mean the community should cower in fear, it is clear that the law must be followed. She stated that while the community has expressed a clear and valid concern in terms of RHNA that beef is with the state and not the city. As members of the Council, each City Council Minutes Page 12 of 17 September 2, 2014