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Mayor Pico reviewed the process up to this point and he felt Council had not acted to <br />approve or exclude the silo. There was a proposal to add the silo to the plan. Council had <br />directed staff to investigate adding the silo. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wolfe commented that the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning <br />Commission had recommended that the park be approved without the silo. When the matter <br />came before Council in January 2001, the silo was not an item, but by a majority vote of the <br />Council, staff was asked to review the concept of including it and addressing cost and impact on <br />the historical designation of the site. Council did approve the master plan, but asked for <br />additional information in order to make a determination on the silo. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti clarified that the rest of the plan for the park has been approved and there <br />were three votes to take a look at the silo. <br /> <br /> Bill Eastman, 677 Windmill Lane, believed that the process is what has caused this <br />problem. He related the history of the pla~ing process for the Alviso Adobe Park. He felt that <br />ifa farmer, developer, or resident came before Council today and wanted a silo, Council would <br />not allow it if there were objections from the neighborhood. This park may be out of the Foothill <br />Overlay District, but people will wonder about a double standard if a white barn or silo are <br />allowed. People are wondering why they are back fighting the same battle, when they thought <br />the issue was resolved. This is a pseudo-silo, not an historical structure of the same proportions <br />and on the same location. He wondered if consideration had been given to moving it to another <br />location. If that can help reach a compromise that may be an answer. He believed that to build it <br />in the selected site is wrong. The wishes of the people should be considered and he felt the <br />comment about the people versus the fish is valid. He urged Council to reconsider this and stop <br />exercising so much process at the risk of defeating purpose. <br /> <br /> Joanie Fields, 4053 Walnut Drive, indicated she was definitely in favor of the silo. She <br />was a member of the Task Force and went through a long process. The bottom line is she wants <br />the park, which has more significance and can do more educationally for future generations. <br />That is what this is all about. She had no problem with the silo or its aesthetics. She agreed all <br />the homes can see it, but they will also be able to see the barn. She was upset that people have <br />hostile feelings and believed the overall plan was more important. There is a lot to be learned <br />from this site and she felt that the Laguna Oaks residents will find that the Alviso Adobe Park <br />will be an asset to their neighborhood. Speaking as a member of the Board of Directors of the <br />Historical Society, it is very much in favor of the park. It has raised over $50,000 for the <br />interpretive center so the children will understand what this community was like before all the <br />housing projects. This was a farming community and there used to be eight 4H Clubs in town <br />and nine dairies. She did not want to lose this park. She said the reason the Takens family <br />moved from Pleasanton to Tracy was because they could no longer afford to be dairy farmers in <br />Pleasanton. She supported the silo, but she much preferred seeing the bunkhouse constructed to <br />be used for small classes and the barn for the interpretive center. She wanted to be able to have <br />docents from the Historical Society be at the park to teach students about the history of <br />Pleasanton. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 20 08/20/02 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />