CCMIN012301 - Laserfiche WebLink

January 23, 2001 Honorable Mayor and Council Members: I last spoke with the council directly on May 20th, 1997 on the matter of annexation of the Remen tract area. The whole of the area, and the council agreed that it was desirable to keep a rural setting in the area, with low housing density- about ½ to 1/3-acre parcels. A few months later, the residents of Remen Tract held a meeting at the Senior Center to discuss suggestions and options for annexation. When we left that meeting, we were told that City staff would get a survey out to all residents. Once the surveys are returned, the staff, using the information gathered, would put together a comprehensive proposal for annexation. We never received the surveys, and the annexation process was stopped there. In the intervening years, a few projects have come up for water and sewer connections. The annexation questions were raised, but still no progress was made. All inquiries about the process were answered with: "It's not a priority for the city at this time" We now have a situation in the Remen tract that I believe the City should be made aware of. Recently, we have had a number of lots go on the market. In an effort to make the lots more marketable, one owner, Mr. Votaw, has applied to the County for variances on three of his lots for lot line adjustments, and side yard setbacks. The lot line adjustments he is asking for would make one of his small and un-buildable lots large enough to qualify for a legal building site. This change would put the density at about ¼ acre parcels, which all the residents feel is too dense. All of his parcels are covered by a pre-annexation agreement, and because of that, I believe that the city should formally review the request for the variances. Since the property will eventually be annexed in, the variances will be "grandfathered" in, and the city will have to live with the consequences. I think they should at least have a say in them. Further, I ask the Council to impose a moratorium on new building construction until the completion of the annexation. This would allow the residents and the city better input on the conditions of annexation, and hopefully, bring interested parties to the table. Thank you, Chris Johnson 3545 Vine Street Pleasanton, CA 94566 925-462-0512 Action Items: 1. 1. Ask for Formal review of Alameda County Variances V-11402, V11403, V-11404 2. 2. Institute a building moratorium on the Remen tract until annexation is complete. 3. 3. Instruct staff to complete and mail survey. Attached: Property map showing 3 lots for variances.