2 ATTACHMENT 5-7 - Laserfiche WebLink

From: - To: Jennifer Haoen Subject: Dec. 1 Housing Element: Keep Mission Plaza and Valley Village Shopping Centers Date: Tuesday, November 30, 20218:20:53 AM Planning Commissioners: I urge you to reject any plans to build high-density housing in the Mission Plaza and Valley Village shopping centers. We need our neighborhood long-time small business owners to remain in place. High-density housing belongs in areas closer to freeway entrances and BART. Why Mission Plaza/Valley Village must remain As a resident of 26 years in the Santa Rita/Valley area, my family and neighbors have depended on the services provided by the small businesses in the Village and Plaza: • Hardware, cleaners, shoe repair, restaurants, and the ever -popular American Cancer Society Discovery Shop to name a few. Location and convenience are key for the families in the many surrounding neighborhoods which reduces cross-town traffic for many basic essentials. • Many small business owners have operated in the centers for decades and would be forced out of business and employees out of work. Closing small businesses means lost sales tax revenues. Why replacing the centers with high-density housing is a bad idea The proposed location is not near BART, freeways, or business parks. High- density housing is intended to reduce commute traffic by locating near transit centers. Santa Rita/Valley Ave is one of the most congested and dangerous intersections in the middle of Pleasanton with students walking and biking to three schools in the area. High-density housing in this area means more cars, adding to congestion and safety for students. Alternatives to benefit everyone High-density housing plans must be focused on the many locations near BART, freeway entrances and Hacienda Business Park so workers can walk or bike to work. • Create incentives so that more small businesses can choose Mission Plaza and Valley Village as their home to provide our neighborhoods with more essential services, thereby reducing our need to drive across town or out of Pleasanton. On December 1, 1 urge you to remove plans for high-density housing to replace the Mission Plaza and Valley Village centers. Tim Massie