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Steve Brozosky, 1700 Vineyard Avenue, said the signature collection phase of the Bemal <br />initiative seems to have brought out the worst in some people. There have been many articles <br />and comments that insinuate that those who started the initiative do not care about the <br />community and are insensitive people. It is sad to see such name calling. He hoped the election <br />campaign will deal with real issues and not negative campaigning or attempts to make caring <br />members of the community feel guilty. He felt that those calling him uncompassionate and mean <br />spirited have no idea how much the proponents of the initiative do for the community. He and <br />Brian Arkin spend countless hours serving the community. Mr. Arkin has consistently supported <br />affordable housing while serving on the Planning Commission. Mr. Brozosky said he spends a <br />lot of time volunteering at his daughter's school and working with the 4H Club program, <br />including finding leadership and community service programs. He provides space on his <br />property for the 4H Club members to raise their animals. He said volunteers have obtained <br />almost 4,700 signatures to put the initiative on the ballot and that shows a lot of support. Council <br />cannot ignore this if they truly represent the total population of Pleasanton. Council has chosen <br />to reconsider what it puts on the ballot and he hoped the language will not be too conflicting or <br />confusing to the community. Housing on this property has always been an issue and a majority <br />of the Council has done what it can to keep the housing numbers down while fulfilling the needs <br />of the community. One recent development plan for the Bernal property had 500 units with all <br />the low-income units in apartments. The Planning and Housing Commissions asked the <br />developer to increase the amount of affbrdable housing and to not put all affordable units in the <br />apartments. The City gave the developers more of the Bernal property to accomplish this goal <br />and there are now 581 units with 15% affordable and 182 units which can have secondary units, <br />which will also help the affurdability issues in the City. Pteasanton's inclusionary housing <br />where low income units are mixed in with market rate units is a good policy for those in need <br />and for the whole community. The Busch property has a proposed six acres for senior housing <br />including affordable units. He felt the community was addressing those in need. On the issue of <br />affordably priced housing as opposed to low income housing, most houses constructed in <br />Pleasanton over the past several years have been very large houses. He felt the emphasis should <br />be shifted to build more smaller homes so teachers, police and fire personnel can afford to live in <br />the community. We need to continue to address the housing issues of the City but we also have <br />an obligation to those currently living here to keep the City special. Concessions have been <br />made on the Bemal property with the amount of housing approved. The rest of the land should <br />remain in public use. We do not have over a thousand acres of useable land as in Golden Gate <br />Park, but the Bernal property can be a place to take our families and guests to show our pride in <br />Pleasanton. The initiative was written in a way that if the City feels there is a housing need in <br />the City that only this property can address, all it takes is a vote of the people to put it on there. <br /> <br /> Brian Arkin, 3740 Newton Way, recalled a joint workshop on June 27, 2000 at which <br />Greenbriar presented its proposal to the Council, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation <br />Commission and Housing Commission. The proposal was for 500 units, 425 market rate, three <br />acres for 75 affordable apartment units; and 745,000 sq. ft. of office space. Approximately 365 <br />acres were to become city-owned for public facilities. That was forty acres or 13.2% more than <br />the City has today. Greenbriar was told the proposal was not acceptable because the City did not <br />want 75 units of affordable housing in a single apartment building. The City also wanted <br />affordable homes for purchase. Greenbriar was requested to increase the number and quality of <br />affordable units. He felt the City is a caring community that wants to provide high quality <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 11 05/07/02 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />