CCMIN062684 - Laserfiche WebLink

Application of the City of Pleasanton to change the General Plan designation of the approximately 17 acre City Corporation Yard located at 5335 Sunol Boulevard and the ~pproximately 20.5 acre City-owned parcel located west of the corporation yard imme- diately west of the SPRR ri.ght-of-way from "Public and Institutional" and "General and Limited Industrial" to "Public and Institutional", Parks and Recreation", and "High Density Residential" Districts Consider Adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration Mr. Harris presented his report (SR 84:353) dated June 20, 1984, regarding this matter. Mayor Mercer declared the public hearing open on the application and the mitigated negative declaration. Mr. Harvey Levine, 1296 Vintner Way, representing the Pleasanton Housing Group, Inc., stated this group is in accord with the staff report and Planning Commission recommendations, particularly as it concerns the 10 acre parcel designated for senior citizen housing. Ms. I!ene Weinreb, representing the Bay Area Council, stated she supports this proposal because of the need for this type of housing. Mr. Mike McQuaid, 2468 Via de los Milagros, representing the Pacific Locomotive Association, questioned the general plan amendment to change zoning in the area of the Corporation Yard which indicates removal of the railroad tracks. He requested that the City include consideration of the proposed Pleasanton-Niles Railroad project in this general plan amendment, which would include a historical railroad terminal near New Berna! Avenue. Mr. McQuaid presented renderings of the right-of-way use and a proposed terminal building. He stated that such an operation would be compat- ible with a senior citizen project, would be beneficial to the downtown business, and would create a unique recreation opportunity for this area. He elaborated on two possible proposals: (1) only uses the Southern Pacific right-of-way and locates the station as close as practical to New Bernal Avenue and will provide approximately 250 parking spaces in that facility; and (2) utilizes approximately four acres of Corpora- tion Yard land closest to the right-of-way and nearest New Bernal Avenue and would provide the same station area and same amount of parking, and would also provide a building to house some of the equipment for display and an outside track for outside display. Mr. McQuaid advised that financing would be accomplished through pledges and loans and should be no problem. He stated he will be meeting shortly with South- ern Pacific regarding access to the railroad right-of-way. He stated the tracks will not be abandoned for six months, but he hopes to secure the right to use the tracks and begin construction plans as soon as possible thereafter. He stated that any con- sideration for contribution from the City relative to land use would be appreciated but the Locomotive Association does have resources for the proposed project. Mr. McQuaid stated it is his opinion that this project can be considered within the de- signation of "Parks and Recreation" of this general plan amendment and would be compatible with its intent for senior citizen housing. Mr. Bob Graham, 3973 Mt. Ranier Court, and downtown businessman, stated the rail- road project is a viable possibility which has been successful in other cities. He stated that in his opinion this is an opportunity that Pleasanton cannot afford to pass up. Mr. Curt A!tschul stated he feels the railroad project is a great idea. He stated that senior citizens should have accessible shopping, and he encouraged the use of the property zoned C-N in Mission Park for a neighborhood shopping center. Mr. Gerald Case, 3819 Vineyard Avenue, stated he is not against the railroad pro- ject, but would not want anything to endanger the senior citizen projects which he wholeheartedly endorses. 5. 6/26/84