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the back of the buildings and the park, and she wanted it to flow more into the community park area by reconfiguring it. She felt the retail center looked like the one on Willow in Concord opposite I-680, but she wanted to see something that preserves the trees that are currently in Staples Ranch; something with a more creative solution than showing the backs of the buildings and the front of the street in what Councilmember Sullivan's comments indicated. She wants the retailer to look at retail centers like Livery Station in Danville, which she felt was a model that could integrate some of the parks and pedestrian features which would provide more of a transition into the community park area. Councilmember Sullivan referred to the joint statement by Friends of Pleasanton and Pleasanton First, said this is a significant event as they initially had an initiative with people having very strong feelings about what should happen on the property. Another group had feelings on the opposite ends of the spectrum and even though they were very divergent in their views, both had a willingness to sit down, work together, find common ground and do what is best for Pleasanton, which is a huge testament to what is best for Pleasanton. He said it sends a huge message to neighbors and the County that we can work through issues and conflicts like this and do the right thing. He said the City needs to let both groups know that it is taking their statements seriously, agreed there needed to be an open transparent master planning process for the park which involves the community, outreach, workshop formats without politicians or commissioners in the room and allow for the community to talk about what they want to do with the park. He said part of the MOU is consistent with the cul-de-sac-ing of the Stoneridge Drive, the EVA and easement, and the City will have discussion on the Stoneridge Drive connection as part of the Circulation Element of the General Plan. He felt the gas station was a surprise to him and for Fremont Land representatives and he had no preference for this. For Hendricks, there is a lot of pavement and wanted some sort of mitigation for the pavement, whether it is permeable, carports with or without PV, and something to reduce the heat islands. He felt the lighting aspects needed to be scrutinized and minimized after hours. He said the 50 foot and 15 foot signs need work and he suggested looking at the other freeway signs in town and use those more as a model than what was seen tonight. Regarding architecture, he felt more work needs to be done for the Hendricks site to fit in better with some of the other uses on the site. He thanked CLC representatives for working with the neighbors, supported the green energy concepts, felt the City needed to hone in on the affordability issues and the number of units still needed to be discussed. Regarding the retail site, he likes the architecture, felt some innovative things were being done with green building and energy efficiency, but suggested another look at the property and how the site integrates with the park. It is centered on a parking lot with its back to the community and this was not appealing to him. He said in San Francisco, they have a concept of public open space on private development, with courtyards, fountains, eating areas, roofs as public open space, and some of these concepts were needed. Councilmember Thorne echoed comments regarding the joint statement and agreement and hoped the Council will support the contents of the document and allow the projects to go through in PUD's and allow the master planning process for the community park. Regarding the Auto Mall, he had some reservations, but his questions have since been answered such as lighting and parking on top of the building. He supports the sign at the corner because it looks like it has been integrated in the assisted living facility quite well in that it is next to the maintenance facility. He also voiced concern about the car wash on the west side of the property and wanted to ensure it is adequately screened and separated from the neighbors. City CounciUPlanning Commission 15 November 8, 2007 Joint Workshop