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remainder parcel is not part of the development parcel and remains in its original ownership and <br />use. The dedications significantly decreases the value of the agricultural remainder parcel. If <br />the Spotorno family would have known from the beginning that it would have been required to <br />deed over all the agriculture remainder parcel, they would never have been involved in the <br />discussion for the golf course or the Happy Valley Specific Plan. There is no need for this <br />dedication since there are slope restrictions, view shed restrictions, the Williamson Act, urban <br />limit line restrictions, and the 29,000 housing cap. The Spotorno family questions the legality <br />of such a demand. If the City insists upon demanding all of the agriculture open space, then the <br />City should buy it, just as they are doing for the golf course property owners. <br /> <br /> Laveme Spotorno, PO Box 487, Pleasanton, described her life working on the Spotorno <br />Ranch. She enjoys the work and it is a way of life that is very rewarding. A1 Spotorno has <br />ranched in Pleasanton for over 50 years. Now at 72, when he should be looking toward a <br />peaceful retirement, he is being threatened with condemnation proceedings if he does not allow <br />the bypass road and is being coerced into signing a deed for an open-space conservation <br />easement on 2/3 of the ranch that is not being sold. She felt this was blackmail, extortion and <br />a way to steal the Spotornos' land. She said the land is A1 Spotorno's savings account, an <br />insurance policy against farming losses that can occur for any number of reasons. Banks will <br />be reticent to loan money on this property, because a restriction severely devalues the property <br />and its potential as collateral. She agreed a golf course is a nice amenity but it is not a public <br />necessity. The Spotornos do not oppose the golf course, but do oppose the destruction of <br />people's lives and the taking away of a lifetime investment. There must be a reasonable balance <br />between what is desired, what is needed and what is just. <br /> <br /> Sherman Balch, 6010 Alisal Street, said there are two major obstacles regarding <br />affordable housing: Cost of the land and city fees in the development of the property. The <br />Happy Valley area might lend an opportunity for the City Council to address these issues. If <br />the cost of the property is $100,000 to $200,000, there is no way to build a house that would <br />sell for under $200,000. He asked Council to consider on a limited basis allowing six or seven <br />units to be built on a two acre parcel. The cost of the homes could be substantially less. This <br />should be done on a minimal basis so to preserve the rural area. He asked that the wording <br />"should or recommend" be changed in the Specific Plan to "recommending that staff should <br />approve certain things at staff level." <br /> <br /> Janet Linfoot, 6300 Alisal Street, asked Council to preserve as much of the view of the <br />hills and landscape as possible for the residents and future residents. She said the developer <br />does not care about the way of life in Happy Valley, only profit. She believed a very <br />comfortable profit could be made with single-story homes on two acre parcels with much less <br />negative impact on the. people that live in the Valley. <br /> <br /> Daryl Horan, 6330 Alisal, said she is one of three people that would have enjoyed the <br />view corridor. But after seeing the tentative plans for the development of the Spotorno Flat <br />Area leading to the golf course and what the view corridor would be like, she has changed her <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 14 06/16/98 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />