PC 062415 - Laserfiche WebLink

could easily get to the point of saying it would by putting down basic base rock, a foundation for a road and a pavement overlay that he could see was not a structure, basically because it could be easily moved, easily done, and not significantly engineered, which is his kind of my criteria for structure. Commissioner Balch stated that he also got to the retaining wall question quickly because he saw the slope as well and used the four -foot measurement Mr. Dolan had pointed out earlier. He noted that, on the other side, if it has to be engineered, if it's 90 degrees off the freeway such as the Altamont, or the Hayward Hotel road, those would obviously be structures. He stated that he came down to how much engineering is involved, and the first level of engineering came at the retaining wall question. He stated that if a road could be built with basic base rock and pavement overlay and a four -foot high qualified or non - engineered wall, he is comfortable saying that it is not a structure because they are moveable without too much work. He then stated that the intent of Measure PP is an interesting concept, and Commissioner Nagler had commented that the intent of Measure PP is not to have mass hillside destruction. He asked how much grading can be done then, so a retaining wall does not need to be constructed. He asked Chair Allen and Commissioner Piper if this persuades either of them to a go the other way. Commissioner Piper said no Commissioner Nagler stated that from his perspective, Commissioner Balch is making a point he can support. He indicated that he can see building this road within the context of the importance of Measure PP and what Measure PP intends to do which is incredibly important, and this road is acceptable within that context. Chair Allen stated that she can see building a road within the overall picture of what people probably thought. She indicated, however, that she has to honor the wording as she reads it, that the voters signed, and she just cannot legitimately say that a retaining wall is not a structure or seeing huge grading instead of retaining walls. She pointed out, on the other hand, that the Ventana Hills folks had agreements, just as important for those people who voted for Measure PP. She noted that Pleasanton is a community of character, and both are important in that respect. Commissioner Nagler asked if a retaining wall one -foot high would still be a structure. Chair Allen replied that she thought about that, but then she asked herself: "Where does it end ?" She indicated that the other acid test she took was Measure PP, a hillside conservation protection initiative, not a hillside expansion initiative. She stated that she feels obligated to take a conservative view on this because it was an Initiative related to conserving hills. Commissioner Balch stated that one of the arguments he has listened to is the agreement of upholding the City's community of character, based upon a much larger project than the current proposed project. He indicated that he understands Junipero Street's concerns and focuses in on them because they are the most impacted. He noted that when they came to the table back then, it was for 150 homes up there, and so if it is three times the number of homes, it would be three times the number of trips, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, June 24, 2015 Page 39 of 54