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regulated biological resources. He pointed out that Option 1 is the most <br /> environmentally sensitive plan developed for this project and greatly reduces impacts as <br /> compared to previous designs. He noted that a key benefit of this effort to shrink the <br /> effect on sensitive and regulated biological resources is that the project proponent has <br /> substantially simplified the permanent need for the Corps of Engineers, the Regional <br /> Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He explained that Option 3 <br /> not only results in greater impacts that, by themselves are not trivial but additive to the <br /> efforts of the proposed project, but also risks compromising the simplified permitting <br /> strategies by possibly exceeding regulatory thresholds that shift the permit requirements <br /> from a non-discretionary process to a discretionary one that will require substantially <br /> more analysis to justify and mitigate. He added that the permitting uncertainties that <br /> Option 3 creates also results in extensive earthwork and a loss of 37 additional trees, <br /> 23 of which are heritage, complicates analysis of setback and slope as related to <br /> Measure PP, increases impacts to habitats considered suitable for endangered species, <br /> and increases the risk of road mortality of wildlife, thereby increasing the project effects <br /> on wildlife movements. <br /> Mr. Meyer reiterated that Option 1, the environmentally superior alternative according to <br /> the EIR, is their choice. He pointed out that Option 2 is an unusual alternative that <br /> ignored Lund Ranch entirely and has all the traffic coming off of Sunset Creek Lane. <br /> Option 3 splits the project and, in effect, has to be built with environmental problems; it <br /> does not serve all of the households, but only part of the community while another part <br /> of the community goes off of Lund Ranch Road. He stated that one of the underlying <br /> problems of this is that it does not create one community like Bridal Creek or Ventana <br /> Hills or any of the other projects in the neighborhood. He urged the Commission to <br /> approve Option 1, the environmentally superior alternative; Option 1. <br /> Chair Allen stated that she has seen many faces in the audience from previous <br /> meetings and noted that they all got an applause from the Commission at the previous <br /> meeting for being so respectful given such a sensitive discussion. She indicated that <br /> she would really appreciate courtesy tonight, and if members of the audience who wish <br /> to speak hear something someone else has mentioned that they totally agree, it would <br /> be fine to get up and say that they totally agree with that person, and the Commission is <br /> good with that and understands what is being said. She then requested that there be <br /> no clapping or booing. <br /> Tim Chu stated that he is a ten-year resident of Pleasanton and thanked the <br /> Commission and staff for their service to the community and the long hours they have <br /> devoted to the matter. He indicated that this matter is truly about the broader <br /> Pleasanton community, although the context may appear to be an isolated <br /> neighborhood-vs.-neighborhood issue which, in and of itself, is very unfortunate. He <br /> noted that the Commission's decisions and recommendations will have far broader <br /> implications for the community because Measure PP is being tested and precedent is <br /> being established. He added that contrary to certain staff comments made at the <br /> February meeting, casting doubt that Measure PP would ever be implicated again in the <br /> future, that the Measure PP issues at hand are one off, his understanding is that, in fact, <br /> there are seven or eight other properties that would be impacted by the precedent set <br /> by the application of Measure PP to the Lund Ranch development. He noted that this <br /> project is at the tip of the sword in putting Measure PP to its first meaningful test. He <br /> EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, June 24, 2015 Page 12 of 45 <br />