01 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - Laserfiche WebLink

Plan similar to how the rest of Pleasanton is done and asked that the community meetings be recorded because many comments are not passed onto the Council. Nancy Allen asked that the Council select Option 1 or 2, as they both provide a thoughtful and longer term view to any potential zoning changes. She did not support Option 3 and having a developer lead the process, said it would narrow down the plan to retail, said it is not fair to bring the opposing community to more meetings after the economic analysis was flawed and believed Mr. Knoedler already had many months to arrive at other options. Heidi Massie echoed Ms. Allen's comments, urged the Council to choose the option to do the East Side Specific Plan first before making a decision on the Stanley/Valley/Bernal site, as it would ensure that the traffic circulation plan is compatible for planned future development. Mayor Hosterman closed public comment. Councilmember Sullivan said he has always thought the project was premature, supported the site being included in the East Side Specific Plan, felt the priority should be from a planning standpoint and not outweighed by the economic hardships of any developer, suggested waiting until the General Plan is completed, believed in astaff-driven process, said the community has made it clear about their feelings about a Home Depot project without the developer being sensitive to the issue and he questioned the motive to work with the community now. Councilmember Thorne questioned how the site ever became designated as a retail center and believed that the traffic situation created in town now depends on certain corridors to be able to be finished in that part of town. He believed the City should first understand what will happen to Stoneridge Drive and traffic before doing anything on that corner; that it is not fair to assign this to the East Side Specific Plan which will take a lot of time. Councilmember Cook-Kallio believed that allowing time did not mean the Council would accept the developer's plan and it does not preclude the Council from waiting until after the General Plan is completed. She did not believe there was any harm in choosing Option 3 to table it, and given time, they may find nothing viable for the site or find something creative. She was not in favor of Option 2; the East Side Specific Plan because of the time it will take. Councilmember McGovern disclosed having discussions with Mr. Knoedler, believed retail fits on the site because of what the Council agreed to across the street, said the majority of people believe things could go there that would enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood and did not believe the public has to wait 2-4 years to see what will go on the site that would work. Councilmember Sullivan agreed that side of town needs retail use, thinks the City should be supportive of this, he continues to believe the Vintage Hill site is a better site, but while this option is still on the table it will never become a reality. He believed the application should be looked at by the Council from a planning and neighborhood-serving point of view. Mayor Hosterman said the Vintage Hills 5-acre site has not been able to succeed since 1980, she feels the proposed site is a good site for retail but recommended a stronger mix of tenants the community will be able to embrace, she did not want to table the item because she wanted the Home Depot portion of it to go away, asked that the Council get through the General Plan process prior to hearing this project again, suggested an item be placed on the Consent Calendar a denial of the Home Depot project and then allow Mr. Knoedler and his staff to come up with something else, and she supported Option 1. City Council Minutes 6 February 5, 2008