CCMIN100504 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Brozosky felt the back poles were the biggest problem because they cut off the view of the ridge. He was not certain how far the average golfer hits a ball, so was unsure what effect lowering the poles would have. Mr. Wilson said the driving range is 220 yards on the average, A golfer can hit 275 yards, which is why the fence is 60 feet in the air. The fences have been lowered to the minimum already. If a powerful goffer hits over the fence to the trail area, the balls would have to be retrieved by hand. Ms. Hosterman asked if there were any room to pull the tee boxes back? Ms. Ayala felt there was not enough reom to make a difference. Mr. Wilson also noted there would be houses there as well. There is no reom to extend on the back due to the presence of the city-owned open space. The trail does not have to stay in its location, but the staff is constrained on where it can be moved because of the habitat locations. Ms. Ayala felt at a minimum, the back poles should be moved. Mayor Pico asked if the number of poles could be decreased by the increasing the spacing of the poles? Mr. Wilson said the poles are at the optimum space now. The tension on the net is significant and if the poles were any farther apart, they would be bending. There was discussion about the fencing on the Iron Horse Trail. The fencing at the golf course must be taller because of the need to allow a horse and rider to go under it. Ms. Ayala asked if staff knew all the areas in Pleasanton from which the poles will be visible. She referred to the restrictions on Foothill Road with regard to developers building houses that would not visible from the valley floor. Mr. Wilson said that study has not been done. Mayor Pico invited public comment. Kevin Close, 871 Sycamore Road, complained that these poles and netting are in the middle of the remaining view of the area. It is stated that eliminating the poles would have an impact on the cost of the golf course and its revenues. The Happy Valley Specific Plan sets forth goals to preserve the existing semi-rural character of the community and existing views of surrounding hillside areas from the valley. He felt there was a major conflict with the Happy Valley Specific Plan and did not feel the City was working within the guidelines of the Specific Plan. He requested that developers and operators of the golf course be required to operate within the conditional use permit for the goff course. Lighting is also a concern for the community. He preferred moving the course 45 degrees so no netting is necessary. He felt there was time to deal with GE. He also believed it was possible to hand pick balls and thought that was a great job for the youth. The poles are clearly visible from 1-680 and impacts the view of the valley. He also believed the netting would be clearly visible. Pleasanton City Council 14 10/05/04 Minutes