SR 05:335 - Laserfiche WebLink

At the time the 1996 General Plan was adopted, it was calculated that build-out of the Plan would result in 29,000 housing units and 68,254 jobs. In 2004, because actual residential development came in at densities lower than the mid-point, commercial development occurred at higher than average intensities, and a General Plan Amendment on the Bernal Property added commercial potential, the estimate was 27,315 housing units, 86,184 jobs, and 43,704 employed residents. The voter-imposed housing cap eliminates the option of significantly adding residential units to reduce the imbalance of jobs and housing, and the option to reduce commercial development at build-out would not likely be palatable from an economic development perspective. Therefore, staff recommends considering policies that could address this issue by other means. These could include: . Making the remaining residential potential under the cap the best fit for the workforce in terms of location, affordability and type of units. Additional residential development in or near job centers such as Hacienda would be consistent with this approach, as would be providing affordable units (both under the City's ordinance requirements, and "affordable by design"), and encouraging a wide range of housing choice (single family homes as well as condos and rentals) that would accommodate the housing needs of people who work in Pleasanton. . Supporting transit improvements that would make it easier for in-commuters to take public transit to job centers in Pleasanton rather than driving. The new West Pleasanton BART station would be an example of providing better public transit access to a jobs center. Providing good bus service from the ACE station to jobs would also be consistent with this policy, as would supporting express bus service from east county to Pleasanton, and making improvements to regional bike trails that are potential commute routes (e.g. Iron Horse Trail). . Economic development policies. Economic development policies/strategies could be developed to actively recruit businesses that are a good fit with resident workers, to nurture local startups that employ residents; and to allow or encourage live/work development in selected locations. . Encouraging walkable, mixed-use, activity areas. Supporting land use decisions that encourage the close arrangement of homes, jobs, daily shopping, and schools, and incorporate pleasant and direct pedestrian paths, and access to public transit, could reduce car trips. If the City Council agrees with this approach to the jobs/housing balance issue, staff will draft land use and circulation policies which support the above concepts. Development on the South East Hills: Three residential projects (Oak Grove/Lin, Lund Ranch II, and the Spotorno Ranch in Happy Valley) in the hills of South East Pleasanton are currently under review. Traffic impacts in existing neighborhoods, steep slopes, the removal of trees, loss of open space, disturbance of habitat, and visual impacts make development on these properties problematic. The City Council has recently indicated an interest in looking at mechanisms to reduce General Plan densities to preserve all or portions of these sites while perhaps providing some compensation to land owners. These mechanisms may include non-profit land trusts and SR 05:335 Page 6 of9