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urban limit lines is to encourage improvements to existing neighborhoods rather than paving over more green fields. It may even be inconsistent with prior City policy and practice to prohibit a 38% FAR in Valley Trails because there are a number of home additions in Valley Trails that appear to be at least that size. From the Planning Commission minutes and statements from the neighbors, it appears the addition would be too large for Mr. Duggan to complete acting as his own contractor. He acknowledged there is a history with the neighborhood about the condition of the home. He noted there was a divorce, Mr. Duggan had an operation and there was a foreclosure on the house. One cannot make improvements on a house you don't own. That is not the current issue. The home is once again owned by Mr. Duggan, he has refinanced it and has enough money in equity to complete the home addition. He also has a contractor ready to start work if Council approves the addition. He requested Council to follow the staff recommendation and let Mr. Duggan build a home so his son can live with him. Mr. Campbell asked for an explanation of the past behavior of Mr. Duggan in not completing prior projects and leaving the house in its present condition. Mr. MacDonald again noted the divorce, etc. The combination of all those things did not allow Mr. Duggan to have control of his life. He started improvements and was stopped by the Building Department, then the house went into foreclosure. Mr. Duggan, if he were at the meeting, would certainly apologize to the neighbors for the condition of the house. Mr. MacDonald said Mr. Duggan is ready to complete the project and needs a home for his children. If the condition of the home is the reason for not allowing improvements, he did not feel that was the issue before Council. It is unfortunate what has happened, but Mr. Duggan is now in a position to make improvements. If the addition is not approved, Mr. Duggan will have to rent the home and find another with enough space for him and his children. Ms. Hosterman asked if Mr. Duggan can afford to make these renovations to increase the square footage of his existing home considerably, why has he not been able to afford to bring the property up to Code before so the neighbors have not had to live with this eyesore. Mr. MacDonald said Mr. Duggan did not own the house for a long period of time and he did not feel he should add the porch when it would have to be removed for the proposed addition. He reiterated Mr. Duggan has the financing approved and a contractor who is ready to start work. He understood the frustration of the neighborhood, but that is not what is before Council. The question is whether this is too big of a house for the Valley Trails neighborhood. Ms. Hosterman had no problem with the size of the house. She felt people should be allowed to add on to their properties as necessary within reason. She asked when the Duggans purchased this property before all the difficulties arose and how long was Duggan out of the house? Mr. MacDonald did not know. Ms. Ayala did not object to the improvements, she just wanted to make certain they were completed. She asked Mr. MacDonald to propose a condition that could make absolutely certain the completion of the project. Pleasanton City Council 29 03/18/03 Minutes