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with Mr. MacDonald’s statement regarding the neighbors wanting public benefit at no cost to themselves. Penny Nurse, 4460 Entrada Drive, spoke in opposition to this project. She noted that she had spoken with Mr. Black before the meeting started, and he had stated that this would be his house and he wished to move his family in. He had added that if the house was not approved, there would be an assisted living structure there. She disagreed with the proposed rezoning and noted that the walkway was frequently used by family and friends of residents of the facility. James Nurse, 4460 Entrada Drive, spoke in opposition to this project. He understood that the 1970 Planning Commission worked very hard to set up the landscaping and open space and would like the City to preserve the open space that was already there. Jackie Barnett, 4510 Entrada Court, spoke in opposition to this project. As a long-time Pleasanton resident, she had always enjoyed the trees and green space and hoped this open space could be retained. Art Dunkley, 4672 Second Street, spoke in opposition to this project and believed this project addressed the issue of planning integrity. He believed the developers were asking for the extreme and arguing about the details. He believed the history of the site was relevant to this application and appreciated Acting Chairperson Fox’s research into the background of this use. He noted that the applicant’s previous request to reduce the gallonage of bushes and trees from 15 gallons to five gallons, which was unanimously denied. He believed that removing a half-acre of open space was a significant loss to the neighborhood and the site; he did not believe it was excess land, and it allowed the facility to be originally approved. He noted that he had built and operated four nursing homes and believed that to remove the open space in the front would reduce the integrity and dignity of the residents and the entire area. Michael Watkins, 4552 Third Street, spoke in opposition to this project. He believed the green space was part of the neighborhood and that it was an important part of Old Pleasanton. He believed the open space was also important to the residents of the facility, who did not have a voice in these hearings. Marlene Sandberg, 450 Neal Street, spoke in opposition to this project and noted that she had spoken at the original hearing in 1970, where she had opposed the building of the convalescent hospital at that time. She had appreciated the City Council and Planning Commission setting the open space aside at that time so the neighbors would be able to accept the hospital. She did not want to revisit this request again and urged the Commission to deny this application. Georgi and Roland Longboya, 4555 Entrada Court, spoke in opposition to this project. Ms. Longboya noted that she had moved from Portola Valley and believed that Old Pleasanton was similar to her previous home. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2006 Page 14 of 23