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Mayor Pico said his first concem is to protect the existing neighborhoods in the community. He felt that was a higher priority than unleashing the potential for this particular property. Council has talked about concerns about traffic and circulation. This is an important issue that impacts all of us in the community. He looked forward to the East Side Traffic Study coming forward, although he did not want it presented in a piecemeal basis. He preferred that there be an overall master plan for the east side of the City. Council is making major circulation decisions. Some say connection would help City residents, but it will also help people to get off 580 and cut through town. He would like to have some vision beyond this property. We are looking at this project, Staples Ranch, Hansen and Kaiser properties and there is no master plan for the area. The devil is in the details on this project. There are a lot of issues to consider. If we allow more time we would see the convergence of those issues; the decisions on Staples Ranch, the development for the Hansen and Kaiser properties, the Busch/Ponderosa property, and what the circulation patterns will look like. We have a project that is proceeding along and the developers are trying to get ideas and to give the best project. He thought the best project would provide minimal impact on existing neighborhoods. Seven more million dollar homes is enough for this property. He wanted a broader mix of housing and to meet inclusionary zoning requirements. He also preferred to see houses built rather than fees paid. It is important to keep flexibility for a future school site. There are few options left for school sites. He would like to have Ponderosa come back with a plan that if the school is not built, the City has an option to buy the land or to have a church on the property rather than adding more housing or industrial operations. The biggest thing he encouraged is to look at this in conjunction with the Hansen property. If the people of Pleasanton saw a more specific master plan for this area, it could make a more informed decision. Right now we are making piecemeal decisions. He was concerned about that. He felt the workshop process is good. He invited any person to come back to make further comments. A1 Wiemken reiterated his preference for the concept of Option B. He wanted to spread the traffic load and maintains existing property around the Busch property. The circulation is good and there is a good mix of housing and access. Judy Symcox asked Council if there was any pla~ing being done for middle income seniors. She felt high density and a four-story building for seniors solves the problems. It does not add traffic during peak commute hours. She also said traffic on Valley Avenue is the biggest problem. Ken Rabon referred to the remarks about riffraff and indicated a few years ago people objected to the BART station because it would bring in riffraff and crime would increase. That has not happened. Low income housing does not cause high crime, segregation is the issue. For every 1% increase in unemployment, there is a 3% increase in crime. He supported blended housing including senior housing because it leads to mentoring of the future generation. City Council Workshop 12 08/20/01 Minutes