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for even further strengthening. In addition, Downtown is the location of public buildings providing services and information to residents; these include City Hall, the Ptlblie Library, the Veterans Memorial Building, and the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society Museum. Residential Neighborhoods Residential neighborhoods arc the heart of Pleasanton. 'l1,e neighborhoods perform a maior role in what makes Pleasanton an attractive place to live. work. and play. Each neighborhood has a unique character. from the semi-mralHappy Valley. to the more conventional suburban homes in Pleasanton Valley to thc Victorian and bungalow architccturc of rcsidential streets around the downtown. In general Plcasanton neighborhoods show a pride of ownership as reflected in improvements. such as home additions and a high level of home maintenance. Neighborhoods consist not only of the residential buildings but natural features (e.g. hills creeks and open space) and the physical arranvement of neighborhood amenities such as roads. schools. parks playgrounds and shopping areas. These avain are generally attractive and well maintained. althou{.'h. as noted below. some local neighbothoods built in the 1960s and 1970s would benefit from updatinv. Often neighborhoods arc identified by commonly known names related to the developer or tract name. Many recent developments have attractive. landscaped entryways with identifyin/, signs. Sif.'}lS and entrances also exist for some older tracts. although a few of these arc showing their age (e.g.. the entrance way to Pleasanton Valley off Hopyard Road). Fil~re 11-1 and Table 11- in the Land Use Element show the locations and names of over 70 residential neighborhoods in Pleasanton. Rwili:ntj~gh!illrhoods Built from 1960-1980 Neighborhoods developed in the 1960s and 1970s were typically designed with separated sidewalks and street trees on collector streets. and new infrastnlcturc: however. delayed maintenance and upwades in these subdivisions arc changing the streetscape. Over time numerous street trees have died or been removed large trees arc substantially pmned to be lower in hei/,ht or to accommodate overhead power lines. roadway patches exist where cuts have been made for cable and other services. and the street liVhts arc weathered due to exposure to the elements. In some cases property owners have delayed needed fencing fa<;ade. and landscaping maintenance which further diminishes the design character in these neighborhoods. Commercial Areas Unlike many cities that saw substantial development during the mid-20th century Pleasanton has few commercial corridors. Main Street and First Street arc the exceptions. However unlike the "strip commercial" development in other cities where garish signs franchise architectllte and poorly landscaped patking lots dominate development along these streets includes re-use of older historic buildings. street trees. mixed-use buildings and neighborhoods parkit1l' located at the rear of businesses and pedestrian amenities. As of 2006. Pleasanton has upgraded First Street - which carries Community CharaClt.f 011607 rcdlinc 10-7 12/27/'1J.KI6