Laserfiche WebLink
the Initiatives. He indicated that he still personally believes this was the intent of the <br />voters, that they were not thinking of roads as a structure, and that it is still his opinion <br />that a road is not a structure. He added that this is a hard one because this can be <br />interpreted in so many different ways, and the most important thing is how it was <br />presented to the people of Pleasanton. <br />Commissioner Ritter stated that in an excerpt of the Minutes from the June 26, 2008 <br />Council meeting, Karla Brown spoke on behalf of all three authors of the Initiative saying <br />that "The Initiative is not Kay Ayala's alone, but that Ms. Ayala was one who wanted to <br />protect Pleasanton's quality of life. She clarified the intent of the Initiative was to protect <br />hills from development, direct development away from lands in generally sensitive <br />features or with primary open space and to make the General Plan's definition of <br />housing unit consistent with the federal and state definitions." It continues that <br />"Councilmember Sullivan confirmed with Ms. Brown that the intent of the Initiative was <br />to control construction of residential and commercial structures and not roads, and that <br />may be on a 25- percent slope and leads to the conclusion that the intent of the Initiative <br />is not to preclude construction of the Happy Valley Bypass." He stated that from the <br />Minutes, it appears that the authors were out promoting it as "no hilltop mansions." <br />Commissioner Ritter stated that the only part that was a concern from Commissioner <br />Balch was the bridge, but the 24 -foot wide road minimizes that issue. He indicated that <br />he still believes the road should come out Sunset Creek Lane. He noted that the prior <br />elected officials had great intentions, and that vision needs to be honored and <br />supported. He added that the other big thing is the CC &Rs of the Sycamore Heights <br />and Bridle Creek developments, which the developers did a good job of communicating, <br />and those residents knew what they were getting when they moved in there. <br />Commissioner Ritter stated that he is leaning toward Option 2 but would be willing to <br />work with Option 3. He indicated that he liked Commissioner Balch's idea of joining the <br />neighborhoods and wishes something could be done somehow to get the <br />neighborhoods to all work together again. <br />Commissioner Balch asked staff if a motion to approve or deny the project would have <br />to address the elements of the conditions. <br />Mr. Dolan replied that the motion should indicate which of the options the Commission <br />recommends and should also address the issue of Lot 32 that was raised; it should <br />acknowledge inclusion of staff's supplementary memo that was distributed at the last <br />meeting and also take action on the additional condition presented tonight regarding the <br />man -made slopes. <br />Commissioner Nagler inquired if Lot 32 needs to be addressed before the motion is <br />made. <br />Mr. Dolan replied that if the Commission will take out Lot 32, the motion should include <br />something to that effect as that is not part of staff's recommendation. <br />Commissioner Nagler stated that he appreciates the point made about Lot 32 being an <br />extraordinarily large lot going up a hillside, with a house which appears to be situated at <br />the top of the lot. He asked the Commissioners if relocating that home site to the <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 26, 2015 Page 24 of 43 <br />