Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Dennis indicated a development like Promenade would fall under that description <br />and noted that it is 50/50 in market and affordable units. <br /> <br /> Christine Steiner, 596 Hamilton Way, Housing Commissioner, commended Council for <br />recommending a park like vision for the property. She had attended meetings when the uses <br />were site specific and large pieces were taken out by the school and lighted sports park. She was <br />concerned about the School District having forty acres on Bernal when it already has twenty <br />acres on the Busch property with the possibility of acquiring more property on the Hansen/Kaiser <br />lands. Staff has said this would be a better location for a school facility. Someone needs to say <br />the District does not need the Bernal property. Although there is 300 acres, a lot of that is <br />around the west side of the property and to be used for trails and open space and not buildable. <br />She does not support going to the ballot at this time. She felt it was too early because the two <br />committees need to be brought together to review the site. Everyone is trying to work together to <br />get a consensus and she felt the community has accepted the fact there will be housing on the <br />property, including some affordable units. She felt there is also a community belief that there <br />will be something great on this property with a lot of open space. She believed that putting a <br />measure on the ballot will start dividing the community. People are coming to meetings and <br />giving their input. She felt a ballot measure would be divisive and affordable housing would be <br />a red flag. The only reason the Housing Commission is saying there needs to be affordable on <br />the property is that unless there is City property, it nearly impossible to provide for the very low <br />income seniors in the community. Senior incomes do not change except to go down. Even when <br />they live in developments like Ridge View Commons, it is necessary to have rent increases. The <br />only way to build truly affordable housing is to build another subsidized development at a level <br />that is affordable for the truly low income seniors. This is also true for lower income families, <br />but they have an opportunity to work out of the low income levels. She felt Council has a <br />responsibility to designate two sites on the Bernal property for this type of housing. She felt if it <br />was explained correctly, the community will accept this. She said if Kottinger and Pleasanton <br />Gardens are to be redeveloped, it is critical to have a senior housing project to relocate the <br />residents into during construction. She urged to keep the process open and keep the community <br />involved as it has been. She did not want to take this to the ballot because it would be divisive to <br />the community. <br /> <br /> Gene Finch, 4847 Drywood Street, felt it would be irresponsible to put the Bernal <br />property on the ballot. Council has spent countless hours serving the community and are well <br />aware of the needs and wants of the community. Council and staff have reviewed volumes of <br />material on this project and he believed Council should take this knowledge and make decisions. <br />It is Council's responsibility and why they were elected. He felt a ballot measure would be <br />divisive. He realized there is a need for affordable housing and cited the project built by the <br />Pleasanton North Rotary Club. He felt other service organizations could do the same. <br /> <br /> Jennifer Hosterman, 2922 Chardonnay Drive, Chair of the Bemal Property Task Force, <br />indicated that there has been a lot of passion and participation in the meetings on this property <br />and felt the entire city was very interested in the property. This is an ongoing, public process and <br />invited continuing public participation. This project will take a long time. She reviewed the <br />history of the Task Force and its charge. Its charge was to determine appropriate land uses and <br />acreages for those categories. The Committee feels it needs additional direction. That is why a <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 8 03/19/02 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />