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Mayor Tarver stated that them should be alternatives for the Urban Growth Boundary Limit line because it is close to the last General Plan process in terms of where things will build out. Pat O'Brien, 27 Castledown Road, Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, was concerned that certain policies not be lost. Brad Hirst, 1811 Santa Rita Road, indicated that written comments had been submitted on ten of the Steering Committee recommendations for land use and reminded Council that the 1986 General Plan is a highly acclaimed planning instrument that has won state awards. The recommendation of the Steering Committee seeks to reduce conversion of raw land to the uses of business, housing and public facilities. EDAC recommends readopting the definition of developable lands that existed prior to 1986 when all privately owned property within a project boundary was included in the calculations. Not to do so will increase the land costs to the public for uses such as parks and schools. The Committee recommends that Council maintain the existing 1986 General Plan recommendations. Reducing the current holding capacity and maximum growth management allocations would be in opposition to the recommendation of the majority of General Plan subcommittees. With 55,000 residents and a North Pleasanton business community, it is necessary to carry a high quality of life for the residents, employees, and employers. EDAC observed that there is no mechanism in place to implement a community character element. EDAC members have long supported the advantages of the coordinated and cooperative regional planning. He believed major public policy decisions that impact Pleasanton residents will be made by outside public agencies not by City Council. He strongly urged that any city within any regional planning body maintain its automony on housing and business projects. EDAC suggested that urban limit lines be established only after careful consideration. He felt that downtown planning principles should apply to downtown only. Attempting to apply these principles to all other areas of the community will inhibit the creativity and diversity of business and living environments. Ben Fernandez, EDAC member, commented regarding the Circulation Element. He felt the West Las Positas overpass was important for the circulation of Pleasanton and that the overpass should stay in the plan. The committee objects to the rejection of a toll road. With cut through traffic problems in the City, the toll road is a necessity. The committee objected to the recommendation that supports only a historic train on the Southern Pacific right-of-way, but declined vehicular use. He did not feel the City should ignore the possibility of a mass transit system that could come through the City. The City needs to keep options open. Nate Meeks, 6387 Santa Maria, addressed the Housing Element. Members of the committee believe the existing policies of the General Plan should be retained. Major changes could be detrimental to the health of the general economy and consistency is critical for long- term community development. The Committee recommends the bottom up approach to the building-out of the community based on infrastructure capacities. He felt an artificial low cap would harm the long term housing availability and economic development of the community and would also hamper the City to be able to provide affordable housing. The Committee supports 09/05/95 -21 -