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Donna Walker, 462 Tioga Court, addressed Council in favor of the proposed <br />expansion of the existing water park facilities. As a resident of the Shadow Cliffs <br />development, she sees the water park as being an asset to the community rather than <br />something that may obstruct her view. She did not believe traffic would be any worse on <br />Stanley Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue than it is currently. She assumed that if the <br />water park brought additional traffic and presented even more of a problem, it could be <br />mitigated. While she understood the concerns of her neighbors regarding patrons of the <br />water slides parking in the surrounding neighborhoods, she did not believe it would be a <br />reality. The few people that currently park in the surrounding neighborhoods are joggers <br />or people walking their dogs. She was concerned about the validity of the petition that <br />was being circulated in opposition to the expansion of the water park based on what she <br />personally was told. She was informed that lights would be on until 10 p.m., speakers <br />would be blaring until 10 p.m., gang related activity would be coming from Oakland, and <br />the property value of her home would go down. Al~er listening to the presentation <br />provided by the Chief of Police related to crime, and based on conversations with several <br />realtors who have assured her that her property values will not go down, she was not <br />convinced that the petition was really valid. <br /> <br /> James Palmer, 3880 Stratford Court, addressed Council in favor of the expansion <br />of the water park. In reviewing the history related to aquatics in Pleasanton, he <br />discovered that between the 1950's and 1960's, a privately owned pool used to be located <br />on Stanley Boulevard, which was called the Berry Patch. In 1981, Shadow Cliffs <br />Regional Recreation area and the water park replaced the Berry Patch. To his knowledge, <br />the water park has been well utilized and has been a good neighbor to the community. <br />The existing water park and its applicant have helped furnish employment, and have <br />helped local groups and charities. The expanded water park will provide an activity for <br />the entire family, with emphasis on children's play structures. He did not believe the <br />water park would be expanded to the degree that it would be termed a "mega" water park. <br />The expansion of the water park will remain in the area that it currently exists, and it <br />would not take over any other real estate. By allowing the expansion of the water park, <br />EBRPD has stated that Shadow Cliffs will operate with a positive cash flow instead of in <br />the negative, as it presently does. The positive cash flow will benefit the taxpayers of this <br />community. He believed that the only days there might be potential traffic delays would <br />be during the three major summer holidays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor <br />Day. He hoped Council made a decision this evening or at a subsequent meeting. He did <br />not want this project subject to referendum by the voters. <br /> <br /> Bruce Torquemada, 3072 Albemi Court, believed that the building of an <br />elementary school would greatly reduce the number of traffic in Pleasanton, and it would <br />also solve the problem of overcrowded classrooms at all of the elementary schools. He <br />also did not believe there were enough activities in Pleasanton for the children. He <br />strongly urged Council to support the expansion of the water slides for all of the children <br />and families in Pleasanton that want an outdoor, recreational facility. <br /> <br /> Jeff Reynolds, 7489 Aster Court, pointed out that if Council uses the findings that <br />the Planning Commission used to deny the permit, it also must uphold any appeal for any <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 5 03/23/04 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />