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Ms. Dennis stated that it does not make sense that this project can have more density <br />and less affordability. She noted that this is a big site where non - profit housing could be <br />included and the market -rate developer would not have had to include or be supportive <br />of any lower income units. She further noted that this was never an option discussed <br />with the developer because housing advocates, including the Housing Commission, <br />were not at the table. She added that the City has a great Housing Commission, a <br />group of citizens who have been active since 2002 trying to get the City to provide more <br />housing for lower- income people who, when they move to Pleasanton, are going to <br />reduce carbon emissions because they are not going to be commuting from Brentwood <br />or Stockton or Tracy any longer. She indicated that she realizes there is only a limited <br />amount the applicants can do and that she would not ask the applicants to do a great <br />deal; however, they are welcome to do more if they feel like it. <br />Ms. Dennis stated that she is not sure where the Planning Commission is on the issue <br />of setting the standards, but she believes that in the Housing Element, it is the projects <br />with the most affordability that have priority, and this project has the least affordability. <br />She added that she cannot think of any other time when a group of important <br />stakeholders were completely excluded from the process, that the applicant was not <br />sent back for some discussions with those stakeholders, which is really consistent with <br />everything it is to be a developer who brings forward a plan in this City. She reiterated <br />that the stakeholders need to be included in the process. She stated that there is no <br />question this is a beautiful project and that they would love them to develop, but this <br />property should be used consistent with the public purpose of its rezoning. <br />Ms. Dennis stated that some delay could be consistent with the policies in the Housing <br />Element. She asked the Commission to recommend to the Council that the project be <br />delayed either until the nexus study is done or until a closer approximation of something <br />that at least meets past standards if not exceeds them is reached, commensurate with <br />the greater amount of entitlements that this property has received compared to the other <br />properties that have provided affordability. She indicated that that would be fair, and <br />they, as well as the Housing Commission, would certainly be willing to engage in that <br />process. She noted that the Housing Commission is their lifeline, and they were <br />basically not allowed a seat at the table, which is not the Pleasanton way. <br />Ms. Dennis stated that they have attached the letters they have sent to the Housing <br />Commission to the staff report so the Planning Commission would have the details of <br />CCC's analysis of the true affordability level compared to what is being proposed here. <br />James Paxson, General Manager of Hacienda Owners Association, stated that they are <br />very pleased with this project. He noted that as the City and the owner of the property <br />have their visions, Hacienda Park also has a vision, and this project fits in with what the <br />Park has been trying to accomplish with all of the planning work that's been conducted <br />over the last 10 to 15 years. He thanked Sares- Regis and RREEF America, LLC for <br />working with the Association, working with its design review committee through the <br />design review process, addressing the comments that came up along the way, and <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 27, 2013 Page 39 of 48 <br />