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Commissioner Balch indicated that he is looking at the trees on Lots 41, 42, 35, and 36 which contain a significant amount of trees that are slated to come out, and the EIR's mitigation plan is to plant new trees with a three -year plan. He noted that these are Heritage trees with a long life, and in that vein, he does not think that planting a sapling and watering it for three years is adequate mitigation. He stated that he has difficulty with that but that he might have an answer. Commissioner Balch stated that he also noticed that there is no park nearby, and so he is assuming that park demand would then flow to the Mission Hills Park. He indicated that he also knows from his time on the Parks and Recreation Commission that the City prefers to have one neighborhood park per one -half mile. He noted that the end of Lund Ranch II is more than a half -mile from Mission Hills Park in linear distance of travel on the road and encouraged Lots 41, 42, 35, and 35 be considered for a neighborhood park. He stated that he did not consider a walking trail, that is only able to be navigated during the cover of cloud due to the heat, a solution for providing an outdoor place for children to go and be with nature. He added that he knows these people will basically have a park in their backyard, but it is not the purpose of what is intended as a City. Commissioner Balch stated that he is looking at this creek and at the EIR and there is a picture that shows the creek directly through the lots on one side. He noted that the consultant's mitigation plan appears to be to simply relocate the creek approximately 15 feet to the west and put up a retaining wall so that it can still flow through. He indicated that while he understands that that is a fine mitigation, there are other options available that would not necessarily have to change the riparian waterway too much. Commissioner Balch stated that he got involved with government because he wanted to help make Pleasanton a better place. He indicated that he thinks the developer has done a good job towards that goal by reducing the number of homes, although their hand was forced with Measure PP. He stated that he hoped the City can find a balance that can still provide a great number of homes to benefit people in the community while working for what the City strives for and desires here. Commissioner Ritter stated that his last comment for tonight is that he just appreciates all the citizens coming out and giving feedback because that is what the Commission wants to do for the community. He indicated that Greenbriar is an amazing organization that is trying to help the community and the City needs to make sure that the community is working with them and all the citizens. Chair Allen agreed that Greenbriar has come a long way on this project and that the Commission hopes to continue to work with them to make it even better. She indicated that the citizens have been amazing with the respect everybody has shown for one other, as well as for providing a lot of input. Commissioner Balch stated that because this is a workshop, people should remember that the Commission's opinions are evolving because the Commissioners have not had a chance to discuss it amongst themselves. He noted that while a particular position PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 25, 2015 Page 44 of 46