ORD 2302 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ordinance No. 2302 Page 2 of 11 Code, and other applicable codes. As such, the Commission concludes this finding can be made. 2. Whether the proposed development plan is consistent with the Pleasanton General Plan and any applicable specific plan. General Plan Circulation Element Program 7.4, calls for the City to "discourage new gated communities," and Community Character Element 17.1 calls for"neighborhoods [to be] open and accessible to one another." Although the General Plan discourages gated communities, their installation is not prohibited, and there are numerous gated private streets and communities throughout Pleasanton that have been approved over time and based on a variety of circumstances and factors justifying their installation. Some gates may have originally been agricultural gates, gates installed before a property was annexed into the City, or gates may have been approved prior to or despite the General Plan program. One such gate is at the base of Silver Oaks Terrace, within one mile of the subject area. Ruby Hill is a gated community located off Vineyard Avenue, and recently, the Merritt project, an age-restricted community, was approved with a gated entrance. As amended by PC Resolution No. 2025-20, the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan allows for gates on private streets if there are unusual circumstances justifying the installation. Winding Oaks Drive is a private street serving a limited number of properties, with no through connection that would be impeded by its installation. Together, these site specific conditions, as well as the recent break-in attempt, would be considered an "unusual circumstance" that justifies the installation of a gate, despite the General Plan's broader policy intent to discourage them. As such, the City Council concludes that this finding can be made. 3. Whether the proposed development plan is compatible with the previously developed properties in the vicinity and the natural, topographic features of the site. The City Council finds that the proposed project is consistent with the existing development, in that there will be limited visual impact. Further, agricultural protection gates are permitted throughout the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan area, and as amended by City Council Resolution No. 2025-067 the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan allows for gates on private streets if there are unusual circumstances justifying the installation. Further, there are security gates at access points to Ruby Hill and a gate at the base of Silver Oaks Terrace. The proposed gate would be in keeping with the amended VACSP and compatible with some of the surrounding subdivisions. 4. Whether grading in conjunction with the proposed development plan takes into account environmental characteristics and is designed in keeping with the best engineering practices to avoid erosion, slides, or flooring, and to have as minimal an effect upon the environment as possible. The City Council finds that there is no impact from grading associated with the proposed gate. Additionally, dust suppression measures will be required as a Condition of Approval. 5. Whether streets, buildings, and other manmade structures have been designed and located in such a manner to complement the natural terrain and landscape. The Council finds the proposal is reasonably sensitive to existing landscaping, maintaining the limited on-site vegetation. As conditioned, the gate will not impact users of the Old Vineyard Avenue Trail or disrupt existing trees or landscaping.