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the concept was no hilltop mansions, and the word "road' is not mentioned anywhere in <br /> the Initiatives. He indicated that he still personally believes this was the intent of the <br /> voters, that they were not thinking of roads as a structure, and that it is still his opinion <br /> that a road is not a structure. He added that this is a hard one because this can be <br /> interpreted in so many different ways, and the most important thing is how it was <br /> presented to the people of Pleasanton. <br /> Commissioner Ritter stated that in an excerpt of the Minutes from the June 26, 2008 <br /> Council meeting, Karla Brown spoke on behalf of all three authors of the Initiative saying <br /> that "The Initiative is not Kay Ayala's alone, but that Ms. Ayala was one who wanted to <br /> protect Pleasanton's quality of life. She clarified the intent of the Initiative was to protect <br /> hills from development, direct development away from lands in generally sensitive <br /> features or with primary open space and to make the General Plan's definition of <br /> housing unit consistent with the federal and state definitions." It continues that <br /> "Councilmember Sullivan confirmed with Ms. Brown that the intent of the Initiative was <br /> to control construction of residential and commercial structures and not roads, and that <br /> may be on a 25-percent slope and leads to the conclusion that the intent of the Initiative <br /> is not to preclude construction of the Happy Valley Bypass." He stated that from the <br /> Minutes, it appears that the authors were out promoting it as "no hilltop mansions." <br /> Commissioner Ritter stated that the only part that was a concern from Commissioner <br /> Balch was the bridge, but the 24-foot wide road minimizes that issue. He indicated that <br /> he still believes the road should come out Sunset Creek Lane. He noted that the prior <br /> elected officials had great intentions, and that vision needs to be honored and <br /> supported. He added that the other big thing is the CC&Rs of the Sycamore Heights <br /> and Bridle Creek developments, which the developers did a good job of communicating, <br /> and those residents knew what they were getting when they moved in there. <br /> Commissioner Ritter stated that he is leaning toward Option 2 but would be willing to <br /> work with Option 3. He indicated that he liked Commissioner Balch's idea of joining the <br /> neighborhoods and wishes something could be done somehow to get the <br /> neighborhoods to all work together again. <br /> Commissioner Balch asked staff if a motion to approve or deny the project would have <br /> to address the elements of the conditions. <br /> Mr. Dolan replied that the motion should indicate which of the options the Commission <br /> recommends and should also address the issue of Lot 32 that was raised; it should <br /> acknowledge inclusion of staffs supplementary memo that was distributed at the last <br /> meeting and also take action on the additional condition presented tonight regarding the <br /> man-made slopes. <br /> Commissioner Nagler inquired if Lot 32 needs to be addressed before the motion is <br /> made. <br /> EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 26, 2015 Page 24 of 26 <br />