PC 052505 - Laserfiche WebLink

THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Vanessa Kawaihu, 877 Sycamore Road, noted that she read the Draft Element online and had not seen Attachment 3 until this meeting_ She expressed concern about Policy 3, Program 3.5 and requested that language be lightened up to help the older communities when they sell_ Shc did not believe it made any sense to improve their roof to be PV-cell-ready prior to sale because the majority of the homes would be razed. She noted that Policy 4, Program 4. 1 should be more -flexible if the passive solar would be captured regarding configuration of front-door placement_ She liked the fact that much of Policy 7, Programs 72. to 7.5 was struck. She noted that Policy 22, Program 21.1 synchronizing lights may cause a problem in constrained gateways with respect to acceleration and deceleration of cars, if every car must stop before entering Pleasanton. She noted that the Ace Train was good but that it should have a permanent station to make it a good part of the energy program. Otherwise, she lilted the Draft Element. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Roberts commented that the Introduction contained a lot of flowery language. She believed the reference to the United Nations and the use of its definition of "sustainable" was politically unwise and that the Committee's own definition of what is sustainable would be more succinct and less verbose. She would like to see that rewritten. Commissioner Arkin concurred with Commissioner Roberts' comment and would like to see language stating why the City was taking this step. The Commissioners concurred with that suggestion and believed the entire "Purpose" section should be rewritten to specifically address the City's goals. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Arkin regarding the definition of sustainability, Ms. Stern stated that it encompassed the concept of not robbing the next generation of resources and to operate within resources that are already available. In addition, it included the development of renewable energy resources. Commissioner F31ank supported Commissioner Arkin's comments and added that it was difficult to comment further without understanding the definirion of sustainability. Commissioner Roberts noted that there were many different definitions of sustainability and believed that the current definition was wishy-washy. Commissioner Arkin suggested that a workshop be held with the City Council and other Committee members to discuss the policies. He did not want to commit the City to creating a department that would cost money. G'ommissioner Roberts expressed concern about Policy 1 and did not believe that it could be said to future CGouncils that the energy future will remain a City priority; she noted that each Council sets its own priorities. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 25, 2005 Page 4 of 23