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Tom Smith, a Happy Valley resident speaking on behalf of Janet Lindfoot, a <br />Happy Valley resident, noted that in January 2003, Council in the face of vigorous and <br />persistent resistance from Happy Valley residents, gave up the pursuit of the alternatives <br />to the original upper bypass road to the golf coume. Council reconfirmed its commitment <br />to that original road and Resolution 03-008 attests to that effect. The abandonment of <br />the Spotorno project provided much more leeway as to the location of the road in the <br />upper bypass area. As of this date, Happy Valley residents are still unaware of any <br />effort by the City to keep its commitment. The trial court, in December of 1993, correctly <br />ruled that the bypass road is a required mitigation factor as part of the golf course <br />project. She received a letter from staff indicating that it is staff's understanding that the <br />bypass road is not a required mitigation for the golf course project. The golf course <br />developers were awarded 10 additional building lots to help offset the costs of the <br />bypass road. She believed the City diverted these funds for other purposes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Smith asked if the driving range is as long as it is wide? If the driving range <br />were turned sideways additional land would be gained to build an additional home that <br />would pay for any costs associated with the pumhase of the GE property. He noted that <br />one of the original designs for the golf course showed golf being played down in the flat <br />land area with the development of homes along the golf course, which he believed would <br />be of higher value and fit the rural setting. He noted that the Happy Valley residents <br />have tried from the beginning to have the bypass road constructed before any <br />development occurred. He urged Council to hold to the original annexation agreement <br />that stated no development until the bypass road is built and no more than one home per <br />one acre, which is twice as much as the original annexation agreement. He asked <br />Council to fulfill its promise to the Happy Valley residents and avoid any traffic liability by <br />placing too many cars on a substandard road. <br /> <br /> Sherman Balch, a Happy Valley resident, stressed that Council would need <br />unbiased, factual information pertaining to the costs associated with the bypass road <br />location, the original design and the revised design in order to make an informed <br />decision. He noted that all of the developers that have working on this project are aware <br />of the slide and the geological conditions of that area. <br /> <br /> Jim Freitas, a Happy Valley resident, addressed his concerns regarding the <br />bypass road. He believed Council should adhere to the location of the bypass road as <br />stated in the Specific Plan. He noted that the bypass road would directly affect him, as <br />it would be located behind his home. At the Planning Commission meeting last week, it <br />was mentioned that there is a possibility of allowing bicycles on the open space trail, <br />which he opposed. He was also opposed to the amount of homes that are proposed in <br />the development plan for the Spotorno property, as the rural area with open space <br />should be maintained in the flat land area. <br /> <br /> Lori Ingersoll, a Happy Valley resident, said the proposed changes to the Happy <br />Valley Specific Plan do not maintain the semi-rural character of the greater Happy <br />Valley. She asked Council to maintain the Happy Valley neighborhood's existing <br />agricultural heritage, specifically the cows on the hill behind her home, as well as <br />maintaining the open space while minimizing the visual prominence of a bypass road. <br /> <br /> Vince Barletta, a Happy Valley resident and President of the Alisal Improvement <br />Club, was glad to hear that Council values keeping specific plans in tact. He was in <br />favor of reorienting the driving range, as the current location of the driving range is an <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 21 03/15/05 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />