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10. COMMUNITY CHARACTER ELEMENT PURPOSE '[be purpose of the Community Character Element is to identify the physical and social aspects of Pleasanton's unique identity and to establish goals. policies and It-program~ to preserve and enhance those aspects which make the city speeial and distinct. OVERVIEW EXISTINC COMMYNI-TY CI If.Rf.CTER Plcasanton's cotnluunity character is the physical reflection of its location, setting, histor:y. and numerous dcsi!:,>11 decisions made over time. It is an expression of cotnmunity values as well as constraints as perceived at the time of each of those decisions. Some aspects of community character arc the result of one-time actions while others have been adopted and repeated as traditions. +he mrvlajor contributors to Plcasanton's cOlumunity character arc discussed below and :iUlllll1.\l-ti.ed in Figure X 1. See Figure 10-1. Exiting Community Character. Settffig Pleasanton is situated in a tree-covered valley defined by surrounding hills. The generally undeveloped hillside and ridgeline areas which enclose Pleasanton create a scenic visual backdrop and provide a physical and visual separation frolll adjacent communities. Tlus gives Plcasanton a strong sense of individuality. Surrounding hillside and open space areas, along with trees and other landscaping which have been planted over the City's history, also give Pleasanton a strong visual connection to thc natural CI1Vlronmcnt. Pleasanton's physical evolution between 1850 and 1970 resulted in a small-town feeling with an outlying rural atmosphere. '11,is is evidenced by the City's historic Downtown, older residential neighborhoods, Alameda County Fairgrounds, the keeping of farm animals in the Happy Valley farming area,-ete among other aspects described below. 'l1,i.l i.I .\ el..Il.,eler ..I.iel. ml\lany residents cherish and desire to preserve and enhance this character. High quality business park development which occurred during the 1980s and 1990s and suburban neirhborhood development from the 1960s to tlle present also create design elements which the City would like to perpetuate in hannony with the rest of ilie community. '1110 desi!.,>11 of future developments and the retention of a sense of open space and community separation will require careful attention to planning. landscaping, and building setbacks. During this General Plan period. the City will likely see the development of land transitioning from dr:y-Iand a~>rieulture to commercial. residential. and park uses on the Staples Ranch property and the developmcnt of sevcral hundred acrcs of land now transitioning from quar'Y uses east of Pleasanton. In addition thc development of numerous vacant infill parcels building a("litions renovations and public unprovcnlcnts arc expected within the next 20 years. Community Chal'l1ctcr 01 t(,(17 rcdlinc 10-1 1/03/2l.X17