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Russ Swerdon, 6558 Hanover Court, indicated he lived directly across from the main <br />entrance of the project. He has no financial interest in Applied Biosystems and is not an <br />employee of the company. He has been involved in meetings on this project for a year and a <br />half. Many residents who attended meetings in 2000 were led to believe that the 48 foot height <br />limit represented the maximum height of the buildings. The prior Kaiser building was about 48 <br />feet from base to top of parapet with no screening visible from the neighborhood. As a result of <br />the increased mass of the proposed buildings, the maximum building height was reduced from a <br />proposed 55 feet to 48 feet. If you look at the plans drafted by Kaiser, they were ambiguous and <br />used three different terms (maximum height, height, overall building height). The design <br />guidelines state the maximum height of any three-story building on the site is 48 feet. That is <br />what led most people to believe that what they would see is a 48 foot tall project. Granted, there <br />was some mention of screening enclosures for mechanical apparatus in other sections, but those <br />said screening enclosures were not included in overall building height. No one envisioned that <br />what we would see would be a massive new structure that is 15-17 feet above the roof level. The <br />concern of the neighbors is not two and a half feet. There is an increase in height from 48 to 65 <br />feet. That is 17 feet and a 35% increase in height. The term maximum building or overall <br />building height to suggest any height not including everything attached to the structure and roof <br />should not have been done on this project. On other projects where viewsheds were an issue, <br />different terms were used to make clear that a total building height was contemplated. That <br />should have been done on this project. It was clear from the outset that viewsheds were an issue <br />to the neighbors. After considering many aspects, including the fact that many projects in the <br />south Pleasanton area had parks included, which were later taken out of the final as-built project, <br />he wanted to make certain that does not happen here. No compelling details have been provided <br />as to why a perimeter, publicly accessible, trail would not work on this project. He felt most <br />items mentioned in the staff report are easily addressable. He requested that the Planning <br />Commission recommendations, especially Condition 39 requiring a perimeter trail, be approved <br />by Council. He quoted from a May 2001 staff report that recommended the public be given <br />access to the trails. <br /> <br />There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sage addressed concerns about the building height. He referred to the design <br />guidelines which do not include the mechanical screening in the calculation of the building <br />height. They have tried to reduce the impact of the buildings on the residents by placing two <br />story buildings nearest to Sunol and orienting the buildings so the most reduced mass would face <br />the neighborhood. The higher buildings are all on the back side of the campus. They have <br />reduced the total height by reducing the mechanical screening as much as possible by reducing <br />the height of the mechanisms being shielded. The air handlers are 29 inches lower than <br />standard equipment. He indicated the two and half foot height increase is truly due to <br />operational requirements for the buildings for long term use of the buildings. He indicated <br />Applied Biosystems has been very impressed with the community and the way the company has <br />been received. He recognized there are differing views from some neighbors. He was grateful <br />for the support shown at this meeting, but they still look forward to a good community <br />relationship with those who do not support the project. He said the company is here to stay and <br />will be a part of the community. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 11 12/04/01 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />