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197 <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver stated that he was not in agreement with what the <br />Staff Report mentioned regarding a unanimous adoption of the <br />committee approach. He pointed out that he spoke against the <br />annexation process and that what the Steering Committee hoped to <br />accomplish was not clear to him. He said that at the workshop, <br />the majority of the Councilmembers indicated that they favored <br />annexation to gain control and that they were looking towards the <br />East Palomares Canyon line in terms of how far the City would go, <br />whether for a sphere-of-influence change or for annexation. He <br />stated that it is premature to study the Ridgelands at this time. <br />The EIR indicated traffic problems as well as negative effects on <br />wild life. It would also mean service and liability issues for <br />the City. He concluded that the best way to find out how the <br />general public feels about the Ridgelands is to ask the general <br />public about it rather than to form a committee. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mercer commented that in the past, Council has asked the <br />public to come together to do the General Plan and some Specific <br />Plans. It would be very difficult for a big group to get started. <br />Council could fairly appoint a Steering Committee to sit down and <br />discuss issues on the Ridge, including annexation, park use, <br />services required, and how the property owners feel. He pointed <br />out that the Ridgelands is a sensitive piece of property and that <br />the public should participate in what should be done to that. <br /> <br /> The Steering Committee, to be composed of a Councilmember, a <br />Planning Commissioner, the East Bay Regional Park District <br />(EBRPD), the City's park district, three land owners and three <br />members from Save Pleasanton Ridgelands Committee, would present a <br />report indicating all the issues that ought to be considered. A <br />study will then be done on how much time and money would be <br />required, what staff would be necessary, and which direction to <br />go. He emphasized that no commitments have been made to anybody <br />regarding anything. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver commented that he did not indicate that the <br />citizens should not participate in the process, but that he did <br />not think this was the proper time to do so. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brandes indicated that he initially shared Mr. Tarver's <br />concern. However, the situation of the City of Hayward creating <br />visible problems changed his mind. He stated that the committee <br />approach has been used frequently, not only for citizen input but <br />also to backup Council decisions. The overall impact of the <br />Ridgelands on the community is great. Mr. Montgomery indicated <br />that the property owners are willing to annex without any <br />conditions, accepting the same zoning that they now have, but they <br />would be under the City's control instead of Hayward's or the <br />County's. He said that it was important to understand what the <br />Council was trying to say at the work session and that the <br />committee was a logical way to proceed. The committee may not <br />come back with a unanimous report, and minority reports should <br />also be presented to the Council. <br /> <br /> - 11 - <br /> 4-17-90 <br /> <br /> <br />