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Mayor Getton repeated his question to Mr. Pearson because he felt i~ had not <br />been answered. Mr. Pearson replied that a moratorium would not accomplish any- <br />thing as far as the already zoned residential and multiple lots. Mr. Pearson also <br />stated that if it were possible, a growth limitation should be placed on the City <br />so that never at any time would the City grow at a rate that would be detrimental <br />to our environment. He further stated that because the City does not have abso- <br />lute power in controlling growth, he would suggest that the Council should be <br />trying to have a law passed that would allow the City this control. Mr. Pearson <br />also stated that the City, even with the present laws, c~n do a great deal to con- <br />trol growth by denying applications from the developers for rezonings to increase <br />densities. Mr. Pearson indicated that the attitude of the Council must be changed <br />in order to place environmental problems on a par w~th economic problems. <br /> Councilman Rega interjected a question to Mr. Pearson which asked him to <br />clarify his reference to ~'The Council". Councilman Rega stated that he took ex- <br />ception to Mr. Pearson's reference. Mr. Pearson stated his remarks were directed <br />to the majority of the Councilmen who vote on the rezoning issues and further <br />stated that he felt Councilman Rega had one of the better records on which to <br />stand. <br /> Mr. Pearson again emphasized that if the City Council will refuse to rezone <br />the tracts in order to prohibit the developers to build smaller homes on smaller <br />lots, then the City would be controlling growth. <br /> Mayor Getton asked Mr. Pearson if he felt the 4.7 density per gross acre was <br />too high and Mr. Pearson was inclined to believe it was. <br /> Mayor Getton asked Mr. Pearson if his petition had anything to do with ethnic <br />groups and Mr. Pearson said it did not. <br /> Councilman Spiliotopoulos asked Mr. Pearson if he considered the goals of the <br />General Plan to be adequate. Mr, Pearson replied that he had no particular <br />quarrel with the plan and felt that the General Plan Eeview Committee might be <br /> rou ' <br />one answer to his g p s petition, providing that the citizens appointed are con- <br />cerned about the issues of air pollution, sewage, and an overcrowded school system. <br /> Dr. Ray Haskell, District School Superintendent, reported on the effect of <br />continued growth and proposed density changes on schools. <br /> Dr. Haskell stated that the average yearly student increase for the past five <br />years has been 408 students and based on this past five-year growth pattern, it <br />would appear that the estimated maximum growth of 450 students per year for 1971 <br />and 1972 is justified. <br />Dr. Haskell called attention to the foresight of both the Elementary and High <br />School Board of Trustees to purchase a number of school sites throughout the City. <br /> Dr. Haskell indicated that at the present time there are 585 reserve seating <br />capacity in the Pleasanton Elementary Schools and there will be a reserve of 308 <br />seats at the beginning of September, after admitting the anticipated February to <br />September growth of 277 students. <br /> Dr. Haskell outlined the building program, anticipated growth, and the unused <br />spaces. He emphasized that the District would not be able to construct the school <br />in the Fairlands area unless the District continues to grow at a rate of 450 stu- <br />dents per year and at least 350 foundations for houses can be counted at the time <br />of applying for State Building Aid. <br /> Dr. Haskell concluded this portion of his report by stating that given a <br />yearly community expansion and school enrollment growth slightly greater than the <br />average yearly growth for the past five years, the Pleasanton Elementary School <br />District can house all new children expected through 1973-74 without double ses- <br />sions and overcrowding. <br /> Dr. Haskell then reported on the effect of proposed neighborhood density changes <br />on the schools. He explained the State Building Aid formula for both the Elemen- <br />tary and High Schools. He stated that the State formula is geared to meeting <br />growth needs in those Districts that experience; 1) continuous steady growth, 2) <br />a community with a majority of primary children, and 3) a community that builds a <br />variety of housing units including apartments, multi-plexes and townhouses which <br />generate square footage while producing few children. Dr. Haskell stated that the <br />formula handicaps school districts in which the opposite conditions exist or when <br />growth is limited to single family dwellings on a large lot. <br /> Dr. Haskell concluded his report by making the following statements: <br />1. The maximum beneficial effect of neighborhood density increases on a school <br /> district would be to cut in half the number of students generated from a <br /> typical R-1 development while at the same time doubling the amount of assessed <br /> valuation behind each new student to be educated. <br />2. The minimum beneficial effect of increasing neighborhood density on a school <br /> district would be to have an appreciable reduction in the number of children <br /> generated and an appreciable increase in wealth per student to be educated. <br /> <br /> <br />