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planning with respect to landscaping. Mr. Cravotta reported it was his understanding that a <br /> landscape plan was not necessary, at this point. <br /> In response to Councilmember Pentin's question, Mr. Cravotta confirmed he was present during <br /> Planning Commission hearings and is aware of the rationale of the Planning Commission in <br /> denying the application. One of the reasons included the need for landscaping. Mr. Cravotta <br /> reported he understood landscaping was not required prior to the Planning Commission's <br /> determination. They met the original submission requirements but felt the conditions, kept getting <br /> tighter and tighter. He added landscaping is the last thing that needs to be addressed and <br /> indicated they are willing to do so. <br /> Councilmember Brown confirmed the applicant had an Administrative Design Review approval <br /> and is appealing the decision and approval process with conditions. She asked if there are <br /> reasons why they initiated an appeal of an approval process that included reasonable requests. <br /> Mr. Cravotta reported the original approval added conditions that were not acceptable. <br /> Doug Farmer shared his experience living on Yellowstone Court and reported the neighbors <br /> began noticing a lot of activity coming from the subject residence. They decided to start a <br /> Neighborhood Watch group and had regular contact with the Police Department in termsof <br /> unusual behavior. With time, the unusual activity turned into suspicious behavior that would be <br /> followed by Police presence on the street, when reported. He added personally calling the Police <br /> when he observed drug use in the property and in cars on the street.As captainof the group, he <br /> was, involved in what other neighbors observed and Police presence seemed to focus on the <br /> subject property. He reported a lot of nighttime activity and noticing different people going in and <br /> coming out during all hours of the day. He reported the property owners attended a Neighborhood <br /> Watch meeting and indicated they wanted to be left alone and were not responsible for what other <br /> adults did on their property. He added the disclosure of Police activity in the neighborhood made <br /> his house difficult to sell. Mr. Farmer concluded the project would bring more undesirables into the <br /> neighborhood. <br /> Eric Wedeking spoke in opposition to the project noting his neighbors feel the same; they are not <br /> opposed to home improvements, in general, but are opposed to worsening problems. The <br /> property is a problem to the street and the community, because of the resources used to enforce <br /> laws. He reported the Police are a constant presencein the neighborhood as illegal activity pours <br /> out of the house and it meets the definition of a "nuisance neighbor." He reported they were using <br /> their attic as an illegal living space and have no regard for the law. Mr. Wedeking reported there ie <br /> a constant stream of young people speedingon the street and the residents and their visitors <br /> have no regard for the peacefulness and safety of the streets and have been observed dealing <br /> drugs. He reported one-third of the houses in the neighborhood have been sold, in the last two <br /> years. He urged Council to deny the appeal to keep current problems from getting worse. <br /> Glen Johnson noted his main concern is the privacy of his family and reported there is a transient <br /> population going in and coming out of the subject residence. He expressed concerns regarding <br /> the maintenance of the subject residence, and said if they expand the size of the home, there will <br /> be a larger nuisance and reported it has been the worse property in the neighborhood for many <br /> years. He questioned the capability and sophistication of the contractor, commented on the <br /> permits he has pulled in the last six years and spoke of the possibility of the contractor <br /> abandoning the project. <br /> Shoni Johnson shared her and her husband's experience in moving to Pleasanton and noted <br /> challenges living in the neighborhood. Residents have had the responsibility to report activities <br /> related to the subject site and the property owners seem to have a total disregard for what is <br /> occurring. She complained of people urinating on her lawn and selling and doing drugs. She <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8 October 3,2017 <br />