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are the floor area restrictions and the lack of Green Building requirements. He agreed <br />with comments made by staff related to the floor area ratio. If the PUD were followed <br />with a large two-acre lot and large setback and the minimum house size, you will get a <br />house that maintains the rural nature of the area. He pointed out that his property is right <br />next to the golf course property. These will be four to five thousand square foot homes on <br />half-acre lots. Those, along with the new large homes in Bridle Creek that are very large <br />houses on smaller lots, will both be more visually massive than any house that is built on <br />a two-acre lot that conforms to the current PUD. He was in favor of the Green Building <br />requirements, which he plans on using, as he believed it was the right thing to do. He also <br />believed there is a right place to legislate those, such as in an ordinance that applies at the <br />time of the building permit rather than putting this requirement in the PUD. If this is <br />placed in the PUD, he believed that those who come in to prezone in years to follow will <br />be building to outdated standards and outdated building practices. In closing, he strongly <br />agreed that the guidelines are sufficient as set forth and are appropriate for controlling the <br />nature of new development with the intent of preserving the rural nature of Happy <br />Valley. <br /> <br /> Sandy Richert, 5357 Falrweather Court, concurred with Mr. Adam's comments. <br />She indicated that she had sent a letter to the Mayor and Council a few days ago which <br />summed up her thoughts in the matter. She mentioned that she and her husband are in the <br />process of trying to purchase the three acres from Mr. Adams to raise their family. She <br />has read through the Happy Valley Specific Plan and the development guidelines, and <br />noted that there is nothing in there that they are opposed to. She mentioned that she grew <br />up in a rural area and is looking forward to raising her children in this type of <br />environment. She was in favor of the Green Building guidelines and agreed with staff's <br />comments regarding floor area ratio. She supported staff's recommendation and urged <br />Council to move forward. <br /> <br /> Clive Schliewe, 6330 Laura Lane, concurred with the previous speakers' <br />comments. Since the parcels under discussion in this plan are part of unincorporated <br />Alameda County rather than part of the City, he failed to understand why a plan was <br />being discussed to control development in their community. He asked if the City is <br />planning to continue encouraging annexation. He formally requested the City to review <br />and revise the design guidelines and process for this designation of the Happy Valley <br />Specific Plan. He also requested the City increase the noticing area from 300 feet to <br />1,000 feet. He also requested that the Planning Commission review and approve ail <br />custom home designs. He was very concerned about the size and style of future homes to <br />be built. He believed that a floor area ratio for the main residence is important in <br />preventing very large homes, such as 6,000 square feet or mom from being built on these <br />parcels resulting in destroying the semi-rural character. With the exception of the huge <br />Greenbriar homes in Happy Valley, he believed most homes in the Happy Valley area are <br />relatively modest in size. He relayed to Council that it was his understanding when he <br />first moved into Happy Valley that the north side of Sycamore was supposed to blend in <br />with the south side of Sycamore and to maintain the same semi-rural look. Currently <br />there are five to six bedroom, 6,000 foot homes and they do not look like the other side of <br />the street and do not blend into the rural area. He expressed his concern regarding the <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 25 10/07/03 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />