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The Honorable Steve Glazer <br /> California State Senate <br /> January 10, 2020 <br /> Page 2 <br /> fundamentally,however,we are not convinced that low-frequency commuter rail service such as <br /> ACE meets the"transit-rich"definition intended by the legislation. Minimum headways for rail <br /> transit should be defined, much in the way that they have been for bus service,to ensure the <br /> important and valid trip reduction goals of SB50 are met.Not doing so would have a significant <br /> impact on our historic downtown,which we aim to preserve. <br /> Finally,the amended bill does not address our prior concerns with respect to protection of <br /> historic resources, since it relies upon properties being listed on the state or federal register, or <br /> location within an existing,adopted historic district,to qualify for protection. We recommend <br /> instead that including properties and districts locally identified and designated as historic <br /> resources, provided that they meet established criteria such as those included in CEQA or <br /> otherwise meeting the state's own criteria for designation would better protect the interests of our <br /> city as well as other cities. Again,our historic downtown would be at stake if the language <br /> remains unchanged. <br /> Ultimately,there needs to be more detail added to the bill so we can fully assess the potential <br /> impacts of SB 50. Given that the City of Pleasanton and TVC already has an"oppose unless <br /> amended"position and we suggested some changes, I do not see enough within the new <br /> amendments to warrant a change in position at this point. Senator Wiener's office has been in <br /> discussions with us on ways that they can improve the bill, so I think that it is extremely <br /> beneficial to keep an open line of communication with the author,his staff, and of course your <br /> representatives. <br /> In summary,our immediate, specific questions include: <br /> 1. We need additional clarification as to what exactly a city needs to do if they choose to <br /> go outside the SB 50 process and set their own course. With such deference to HCD and <br /> OPR, it is not clear in the bill what the process is. This relates to density,units to be built, <br /> location,etc. <br /> 2. On a similar note,is SB 50 creating another path outside of the RHNA or General <br /> Plan process? In other words,how does the new SB 50 process interact with what cities <br /> are working on now? Some cities are in the process of drafting their General Plans, other <br /> cities have submitted their RHNA allocation to HCD,etc. <br /> Our"ask"for amendments include: <br /> 1. "Major Transit Stop". The definition is confusing and unclear. We recommend <br /> including the full definition within the text of the bill and providing the requirement that <br /> to qualify as a"Major Transit Stop"it would provide daily hourly service. <br /> 2. Historic properties and districts. What we are trying to achieve is protection for our <br /> historic resources and consistency in the legislation relating to historic resources. We also <br /> want to allow for locally designated resources to be counted and allow for future local <br />