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10. COMMUNITY CHARACTER ELEMENT PURPOSE The 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 programs to preserve and enhance those aspects which make the city special and distinct. OVERVIEW Pleasanton's community character is the physical reflection of its location, setting, history, and numerous design decisions made over time. It is an expression of community values as well as constraints as perceived at the time of each of those decisions. Some aspects of community character are the result of one-time actions while others have been adopted and repeated as traditions. Major contributors to Pleasanton's community character are discussed below. See Figure 10-1, Exiting Community Character. 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 from adjacent communities. This gives Pleasanton 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 the natural environment. Pleasanton's physical evolution between 1850 and 1970 resulted in a small-town feeling with an outlying rural atmosphere. This 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, among other aspects described below. Many residents cherish and desire to preserve and enhance this character. High quality business park development which occurred during the 1980s and 1990s and suburban neighborhood development from the 1960s to the present also create design elements which the City would like to perpetuate in harmony with the rest of the community. The design 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 dry-land agriculture to commercial, residential, and park uses on the Staples Ranch property and the development of several hundred acres of land now transitioning from quarry uses east of Pleasanton. In addition, the development of numerous vacant infill parcels, building additions, renovations, and public improvements are expected within the next 20 years. Edge Environment The Foothill Road area including the Main and Pleasanton Ridges to the west creates the western edge of the city. Although changing through increased housing development and street improvements, this Community Character 011607 clean 10-1 1/03/2007