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Preserves viable habitat areas including wildlife corridors in the open space area. The Oak Grove EIR Process A complete discussion of the Oak Grove Final Environmental Impact Report is covered in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) and Responses to Comments in the June 13th Planning Commission staff report. That staff report also includes astep- by-step description of the EIR's review process (pp. 11- 13). The following discussion further develops the analysis of the June 27th Planning Commission staff report. It replies to the Planning Commission's comments and public comments on the Final EIR's completeness in conformance to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its relationship to the PUD development plan review. EIR Process The Planning Commission expressed concerns that the Final EIR was not adequate in light of the testimony that the Planning Commission heard at the EIR's public scoping session and the Commission's public hearings on the Draft EIR and then on the Final EIR. Staff believes that the project has undergone an extensive evaluation process. The application was submitted to the City in 2003 and, since that time, has undergone a complete environmental review process. On February 8, 2005 a joint City Council/Planning Commission EIR scoping session was held, at which time comments were noted for inclusion in the Draft EIR. On June 30, 2006 the Draft EIR was reviewed by the Planning Commission, providing a forum for both the Planning Commissioners and the residents in the City of Pleasanton to provide their comments. The public review process was extended to August 23, 2006 to allow additional time for public comments and any pending comments from the Responsible Agencies. As part of that comprehensive review process, numerous concerns and comments related to the project were received and responded to. Those responses, along with the Draft EIR, comprise the Oak Grove Final EIR. These documents have been made available in print form, in compact disc from the Planning Department, on the City's website, and at the City of Pleasanton Library. There has been comment that the project has proceeded without adequate time for the public to fully understand the impacts this project will have on the community, that the analysis is inadequate, that City staff has not evaluated the EIR documents, that the process has not been an open one, that the City has ignored its responsibility to protect neighborhoods because of the gift of open space, and that all members of the public have not been a part of the process in the consideration of the project. The process has entailed four years of a transparent review process. During that time, anyone interested in the project has been able to contact the City and has been provided any materials that had been submitted in relation to the project at the time. All issues have been addressed informally, as questions were raised, and formally, as part of the Final EIR. Therefore, staff believes that the EIR process for Oak Grove was proper. Page 11 of 27