PC 010913 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner O'Connor inquired if his understanding is correct that this policy was created to be more flexible so that high- density residential can now be added in an area that previously was considered dangerous for more housing. Ms. Stern replied that it does in this particular case. She added that she does not know what kind of analysis the city would be required to go through to do that or whether it is a done deal. She indicated it is not quite clear, but there is obviously some sort of exception that has been envisioned there. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if adding high- density housing into an area that previously would have not allowed it would translate into Pleasanton as well if Pleasanton's General Plan is updated. Ms. Stern replied that the City of Pleasanton has its own clarifications to the Plan in its Appendix C, which recognizes that there is some flexibility provided to Livermore and that Pleasanton is asking for a reciprocal type of flexibility based on whatever criteria will be used to determine that it is safe to do so. She added that because the purpose of the APA is assumed to be a matter of safety, the city would have to prove that that would be a safe way of going. Chair Blank stated that he agrees that it is primarily safety, but it is also noise and pollution and some of the other things associated with airports. He added that he also thinks the issue of what traditionally happens with airports is that because nobody wants to live near an airport, land gets sold very inexpensively and development occurs; and then overtime, more and more people move in and suddenly it becomes really noisy and the airport, which literally generates millions of dollars of revenue for the City of Livermore and also benefits the City of Pleasanton, will have to be shut down. He noted that the City needs to be careful, and that is part of the reason he would like to add some language in Appendix C to clarify that this is an issue. He then inquired what impact having reciprocity in that TOD in Pleasanton, assuming they put a BART station at Isabel Avenue, would have on Pleasanton. Ms. Stern replied that Pleasanton is looking at reciprocity in terms of looking at flexibility for the APA and not necessarily that Pleasanton wants a TOD. Referring to Zone 4, Outer Approach /Departure Zones, the red zone which allows low- density single - family and multi - family residential uses and retail and office uses, and Zone 6, Traffic Pattern Zone, which allows residential, retail, and office uses, Chair Blank commented that Zone 4 would be incredibly noisy, especially given the training nature of the Livermore Airport, and Zone 6 would also be a horrible place to have a house unless it had really good soundproofing. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the red zone crosses El Charro Road. Ms. Stern replied that it does. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 9, 2013 Page 6 of 20