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participated in four referendum and initiative efforts in the past three years. He believed that the public has said loud and clear that it does not want additional housing on this property. From a philosophical stand point he could support some mixed use housing adjacent to the ACE train station, which would lend itself well to aflbrdability. The proposal for 600 additional units goes far beyond that. Everyone worked very hard during the Specific Plan process to establish a high level of affordability in the project and he believed it was successful. He noted that the Planning Commission continually seeks affordability in new developments. The impacts of 600 more units will have an impact on traffic, schools, the environment, and other quality of life issues. Hence, he believes the basic policies need to be set before any further planning. There has been a lot of talk that the Council was elected to make decisions and should do that for the Bernal property. If the citizens don't like the decision, they can process a referendum. He asked Council to remember the four initiatives and referendum he previously mentioned. He believed Council is elected to represent the public, not to make decisions for them. In this case, Council can best represent the public by placing the citizens' initiative on the ballot and not forcing the proponents to gather signatures. Then the Task Force can draft a plan the public will support. Ms. Michelotti indicated she has not heard of a proposal for 600 units and asked where that idea arose? Mr. Sullivan said that is what he has heard people talking about. Ms. Ayala suggested staff could clarify that. Mr. Rasmussen said a variety of acreages and density have been considered for general affordable and senior affordable housing. The preliminary land use plan of the Task Force did not recommend a specific number of acres or density. Typical acreages discussed was ten to twenty with density at 20-30 units per acre and senior housing slightly more than that. Ms. Ayala asked if the reason no recommendation was made was that the Task Force could not reach consensus. Mr. Rasmussen did not feel that was the case. The Task Force believed that was a detailed subject that would take considerably more study. For purposes of the preliminary plan, the Task Force believed it would get public responses on density and could later develop more precise numbers. Libby Kolar, 17 Cali Court, indicated this issue has been discussed for years and there has been so much division created in the community. She could not believe Council is considering taking it to the ballot again. City-owned land should be reserved for public use. As a representative of the Youth Commission, a teen center has been a long term goal of Commission. Some of the other planned uses for the Bemal property have application to the youth. The Bernal property is the last piece of wide open land in the center of the city. She had no problem with affordable housing. It is extremely expensive to live in Pleasanton and many people who grow up here are forced to leave because they cannot afford to live here. However, she felt there were other locations in the city that were more amenable to affordable housing than the Bemal property. That is the first piece of property a visitor to the community sees. The Pleasanton City Council 7 04/16/02 Minutes