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Drive is not a good idea; Compassion - what haplSened to the allegiance to the existing <br />Koffinger Ranch homeowners' expectations of a quiet and safe environment in which to raise <br />a family; Self-Discipline - Kottinger Ranch was appropriately planned years ago and the <br />expectations of the homeowners should be preserved; Honesty - Kottinger Ranch <br />homeowners were given an expectation and should continue to live in a safe and quiet <br />neighborhood; Respect - the Kottinger Ranch homeowners should be treated with respect as <br />they make decisions for future generations; Integrity - this is instilled in the children and the <br />adults should also keep this in mind and preserve the open space and maintain the quiet <br />neighborhood. She urged Council not to approve an additional 98 homes in a beautiful, quiet <br />and safe area. <br /> <br /> Scott Walsh, 2376 Greenberry Court, said he remembered when Kottinger Ranch was <br />really a ranch. He originally supported the Kottinger Ranch development. He asked about the <br />costs to the community for park maintenance or open space management. He is a fire <br />captain and was naturally concerned about fire safety. He felt the proposed homes in the <br />area should be fire sprinkle red. He watched Kottinger Ranch being constructed and <br />acknowledged the high cost of the homes. He felt the value of the existing homes would be <br />enhanced by the new construction and wanted to see if the EIR could address the economic <br />positive for the area. <br /> <br /> Dawn DeMarcus, 426 Amaral Circle, said she grew up in Pleasanton and if earlier <br />residents had insisted on preserving open space and denying new development most of the <br />speakers in the chambers would not be living her~ now. She wanted to keep that in <br />perspective and felt there was always a balance and trade-off for any project. She hoped <br />people would keep an open mind. She commented it is difficult to use Pleasanton Ridge at <br />times and she felt this was an opportunity to preserve the natural integrity of the hills. <br />Otherwise there are only urban parks with grass and paved walkways. She believed traffic <br />was not just a problem for a specific development, but.rather an entire city problem. <br /> <br /> Mike Regan, 1363 Hearst Drive, said he has been participating with regard to <br />development proposals the southeast Pleasanton hills for about a year and a half. He wanted <br />the EIR process to be broad in scope in terms of the overall General Plan for Pleasanton. He <br />did not want it to just look at what happens if you take two trees out in one place and replace <br />them in another. He felt there was a significant impact by this project on the community. He <br />believed the extension of Hearst Drive would not only add traffic as a result of additional cars <br />from the Kottinger Hills, but would also encourage development of county land beyond the <br />urban growth boundary. Some things he was uncertain how to measure, such as quality of <br />life in a neighborhood. Kottinger Ranch is an active and close-knit community. He said the <br />open space and pristine hills were a great benefit that needs to be cherished and preserved. <br />He was concerned about impacts on the wildlife and the watershed. Grazing land is <br />diminishing and he was also concerned about erosion from the grading. Wild fires are of <br />concern as well. He noted 122 trees would be removed, but asked how many would be <br />impacted from changes in runoff from landscaped yards. He wanted to contain urban sprawl <br />and expressed concerns about traffic. If more entrances and exits are provided to a <br />neighborhood, it presents opportunities for cut through-traffic. <br /> <br /> Dolores Bengtson, 568 Hamilton Way, had to leave before her name was called, but <br /> left a note saying she was in favor of proceeding with the EIR process. <br /> <br />Joint Workshop <br />City Council and <br />Planning Commission 6 02/08/05 <br /> <br /> <br />