PC 091113 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ms. Ellgas noted that the 177 units include 88 one - bedroom, 72 two- bedroom, and 17 three - bedroom units, but she thinks a unit is a unit, and it does not matter if they are one -, two -, or three - bedroom units. She stated that it might not be that great for the developer but she believes that there is no need for three bedrooms and that they probably need to all be one bedrooms or two bedrooms. She indicated that she did some rough calculations, and eliminating the three bedrooms would save 13,000 square feet in the overall development, which might help get some of the units down from three and four stories to two stories. She noted on page 5 of the staff report that Building C would be two to four stories, but she is hearing that they are three stories. She added that because of the fast rate on that one street, which was originally a business park, she is reminded of what Dublin has done on its street near BART where there is a massive high- density housing. She stated that with respect to traffic circulation, she understands that it complies with the park as a whole, but questioned if this is the right thing to do. She indicated that she has been educated that a traffic flow could theoretically be all put on one street, and this one street passes a middle school. She noted that when the middle school was proposed, her way of life was changed. She further noted that she was sitting in her backyard and heard her son's name announced to go to the office. She indicated that she went over to the school and asked them to turn down their speakers so it does not project to her backyard. She noted, however, that this is different, and now they have businesses there, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and residential which is 24/7. She added that they have the sports park in their front yard, which is just wonderful and they love it, but the business park and the trail have changed the dynamics of their neighborhood. She strongly encouraged, if the project goes through, that they be kept down to two stories. She added that she is hoping the berm is part of it and that she is not happy with staff's suggestion to put another intersection there. Chair Pearce informed Ms. Ellgas that there is no more time to go through all the pictures but that if there is a way to give them to staff, she would request staff to forward them to the Commissioners. John Lange thanked the Commission for hearing from all the residents who live along the Arroyo. He stated that he is an original owner in Parkside, having bought their house in 1980 and living there ever since. He indicated that the Parkside development had been a real draw to them and that they originally bought that house because of the park on one side and the business park on the other. He noted that the business park is quiet and is a good neighbor, and usually when they are home, no one is there. He added that the problem he now sees is putting all that high- density housing in there, four -story buildings probably the equivalent of two tennis courts away from their home. He indicated that he does not know of anywhere else in Pleasanton that people would put up with having an apartment complex that close to a residential area. He stated that this has never happened and does not happen in Pleasanton, where apartment complexes are usually built away from residential areas. He indicated that if there were any way possible to move that facility into the business park, it would be a boon to all the residents. He noted that the problem he sees is that it is being treated as a business park redevelopment, but it really is partially in a neighborhood that backs their PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 11, 2013 Page 12 of 27