PC 07/12/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Wright discussed his concerns of the Steering Committee overturning sub- committee recommendations, without even the benefit of a unanimous vote. He feels the sub-committees were larger bodies, thus more representative of the citizens. Mr. Erickson noted some of the problems associated with the sub-committee makeup and process, ending with some people losing interest and dropping off the sub-committees. In the interest of what is best for Pleasanton, Mr. Erickson asked the Commission not to focus on who is abdicating an opinion, but rather the issue itself. Jim Happ, 39 California Avenue, member of the Housing Sub-committee. He felt the process was unfair and their actions didn't matter, citing as an example the vote on Vineyard Avenue of 11 to 2 in favor of 700 units on Vineyard Avenue. However, the two subcommittee co-chairs voted for 100 units on Vineyard. Barbara Allen, President of the Chamber of Commerce. She presented the Chamber of Commerce position paper of the May 23rd preliminary draft of the Steering Committee recommendations. They are at this time preparing a position paper of the July 5th Final Recommendations, which will be presented to the City when it is completed. Some of the Chamber of Commerce concerns are: the definition of gross developable acres; the change in definition of Medium Density Residential and High Density Residential designations; the potential elimination of the West Las Positas Interchange, a housing cap of 27,000 units, and the development of a "major majority" vote in the General Plan amendment process. ~ Frank Berlogar, 2200 Vineyard, disagreed with the previous comments of Mr. Erickson and Mr. Gunter and the minority report. He feels the Steering Committee didn't follow the lead of the Sub-committees, especially in Circulation and Housing. Mr. Berlogar believes that deletion of the West Las Positas interchange would be wrong, and the deletion of Del Valle Parkway extension was wrong because of its impact on circulation. He is also against the capping of yearly building numbers at 350 units as well as the change in the definition of residential density numbers, which was done after the conclusion of the sub-committee meetings. Mr. Berlogar also spoke about the Vineyard Avenue area designation as Agriculture, when he feels it is an in-fill area between the City and Ruby Hills. John Spotorno, 1028 Harrison Avenue, Redwood City, was a member of the Land Use Sub- committee. He noted his disagreement with the comments of George Gunter, feels the lack of attendance at meetings does not mean acceptance, and the Steering Committee was more concerned with "numbers of units." Mr. Spotorno feels the Steering Committee did not seek solutions on how to treat open space and how to transition from agriculture to residential areas. In response to the speaker's comments, Commissioner Barker feels the number of units was put in the plan to give it some "teeth." Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 July 12, 1995