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the housing cap, based on the proportional impacts they would have on infrastructure. She indicated that the Staples Ranch proposal consists of a variety of units that include independent living units and duets, but the vast majority of the units are less-independent living units. She added that the City Council and/or the Planning Commission would have to decide if they want to revisit the item with respect to shifting the 240 units from Staples Ranch to the Hacienda transit-oriented development (TOD), which would provide some affordable housing opportunities and make the project more viable. In response to Commissioner Blank’s inquiring if the Planning Commission had the ability to recommend to the City Council that TOD units not be counted towards the cap, Ms. Stern said yes. Ms. Stern indicated that two new land use designations are being proposed: (1) Mixed-Used, which would allow any combination of Business Park, Office Retail, Research and Development, Public and Institutional, and Residential uses in a single building or site where uses are integrated as a cohesive project; live-work units are also accommodated in this use; and (2) Water Management and Resources, which is proposed for the lake areas in East Pleasanton acquired by Zone 7 and would allow for water storage, recharge, storm water management, and limited recreation. Chairperson Fox inquired if mixed-use development would have to be near or within the proximity of a transit site or is independent of its location in relation to BART or ACE Transit. Ms. Stern replied it is not a requirement for mixed-use development to be located adjacent to BART or other similar high transit where high-density housing is encouraged; mixed-use development could potentially by located in some other area that is not next to a public transit station. She pointed out, for example, that mixed-use development could be located in Downtown Pleasanton, although that use is not being designated there as the Downtown Specific Plan already allows that in the area. Commissioner Narum noted that Policy 13 on page 2-29 states that mixed-use development would be located by public transit, but the introduction to the Mixed Use section on page 2-20 does not mention that requirement. She added that the Downtown area east of Main Street is not close to any form of public transportation system such as the ACE Train. She stated that this inconsistency is confusing and recommended that more specific language be used with respect to whether or not such location near a public transit is required. Commissioner O’Connor observed that Mixed Use as a land use designation had to be near public transit but that mixed-use development can occur in an area not designated as Mixed Use. In reference to an earlier workshop on mixed-use development, he noted that Spring Street has a mixed-use development but is not a designated Mixed Use area. Ms. Stern confirmed Commissioner O’Connor’s observation. She added that she would clarify the matter further when Policy 13 is discussed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 25, 2007 Page 8 of 35