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(CEQA), other applicable State laws regarding natural resource protection (i.e., laws concerning creek/stream preservation, and protection of sensitive plant/animal habitat), the General Plan, and other local policies and ordinances related to environmental protection and suitable locations for urban growth. While the mapping contained in this report identifies where development may and may not occur pursuant to Measure PP, it is likely that developable areas would be further constrained once other environmental protection laws and policies are applied. PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of this project was published in The Valley Times and the Pleasanton Weekly. Staff also sent letters regarding the mapping to the property owners within the Southeast Hills. Staff met with one interested party to review the mapping and methodology. At the time that the Planning Commission staff report was written, staff had not received any public comments on this mapping project. ALTERNATIVES Alternatives that could be explored would involve changes to the methodology underlying the mapping presented in this report. For instance, the "last hill" approach could be used to determine the termination of ridges, or the mapping could be undertaken with 10-foot contours or 5-foot contours instead of 1-foot contours. Ridgelines could also be determined to end at 150 feet (or 300 feet) above the valley floor instead of 200 feet. As discussed in this report, these and other alternative methodologies have merit, but would not likely result in substantially different mapping outcomes, or would not be as protective of some hillsides as the approach used in this report. In addition, the methods and rules identified in this report would be easily transferrable to the mapping of other hillsides areas elsewhere in the City. A "last hill" approach to defining where ridgelines terminate, for instance, may be subject to much debate, as natural hillsides exhibit a great deal of topographic variation. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment. Therefore, no environmental review document accompanies this report. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION Staff believes that the mapping of the Southeast Hills presented in this report is consistent with Measure PP, and can be employed in other parts of the City, where mapping of hillsides is desired. The mapping of the Southeast Hills contained in this report indicates limited development potential in the area, and supports the protection of much of the area in its existing natural state. The Planning Commission's comments and recommendation on this mapping and underlying methodology will, be presented to the City Council. Primary Author: Adam Weinstein, Planning Manager/Deputy Director of Community Development, 925-931-5606 or aweinsteinc citvofpleasantonca.Qov Reviewed/Approved By: Megan Canales, Assistant Planner Larissa Seto, Assistant City Attorney Brian Dolan, Assistant City Manager Gerry Beaudin, Community Development Director Mapping of Southeast Hills Planning Commission Page 10 of 10