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would take whatever means necessary to reserve his parking stalls, even if that meant <br /> chaining off his area. He stated that it will also be necessary to remove some heri- <br /> tage trees on the parking lot, and he wanted assurance from the City that this could <br /> be done without violating the City's Heritage Tree Ordinance. <br /> <br /> Mr. John P. Corley, Attorney representing Hap's Restaurant, stated that the <br />Southern Pacific parking lot has been used by the citizens of Pleasanton for years <br />as well as various service clubs that hold their meetings at Hap's. Mr. Corley <br />stated that the railroad company had received this land through public trust for <br />parking related to the railroad station, therefore it is a public parking lot to be <br />used by the community. He stated that Hap's had used this area since 1957, and that <br />the lot has been maintained by them and other businesses and the City since that time, <br />Mr. Corley stated that before approval of this proposed project, Council should con- <br />sider the benefits of the people who park in this area as well as the downtown mer- <br />chants; that if more uses are approved then it will take away from people already <br />established in the downtown area. Mr. Corley concluded by stating he did not feel <br />parks should be a trade-off for parking. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Wood stated that he had recently requested a study be completed <br />on using the railroad track right-of-way for parking when the l:railroad track con- <br />solidation is completed. Mr. Corley stated that this proposed project would not <br />take care of the immediate needs in the downtown area. <br /> <br /> Mr. Osness stated he had nothing specific to rebut. He stated that Southern <br />Pacific had purchased the property years ago and now wanted to develop the property. <br />He stated that if the City wants to retain the parks in the area he is willing to <br />cooperate in this matter. He added that if the City does not want the parks then <br />Southern Pacific should be allowed to go ahead with their total building project. <br />He stated there has been progress on the track consolidation project with Western <br />Pacific but that no agreement has been formalized at this time, which could be done <br />anywhere from 45 days to 15 years. Mr. Osness advised that the ICC is required to <br />hold public hearings and that any public agency can buy the railroad right-of-way <br />that is being abandoned, and that the City could acquire this easement for parking <br />purposes. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Mohr asked Mr. Osness if he would be agreeable to phased develop- <br />ment of the project until the tracks are removed. Mr. Osness advised he had no <br />objections to the theory but felt this development should be allowed to be constructed <br />as proposed. Mayor Mercer asked who will be building the development. Mr. Osness <br />stated that Pleasanton Station Associates have a 50-year lease and are building as <br />independents. Mr. Osness concluded by stating that Southern Pacific is flexible and <br />will work with the City in acquiring portions of the railroad track right-of-way for <br />parking. <br /> <br /> There being no further testimony, Mayor Mercer declared the public hearing closed <br />on the application and the negative declaration. <br /> <br /> It was moved by Councilmember Butler, and seconded by Councilmember Mobr, deter- <br />mining on the basis of a review of initial environmental study done for this project, <br />that no significant environmental impact would occur as outlined in the City's guide- <br />lines and that a negative declaration is appropriate for development plan approval <br />of an approximately 80,000 sq. ft. commercial/office development to be located between <br />First Street and the SPRR right-of-way from Angels Street to the extension of Bernal <br />Avenue and between Neal Street, Angels Street, the SPREright-of-way and a line <br />approximately 250 feet east of Main Street, and rezoning of the site to PUD-Commercial/ <br />Offices, also to fezone the Delucchi and Wayside Parks located on the west side of <br /> <br /> <br />