PC 052108 Special Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to an inquiry by Chair Blank regarding whether he had a recorded view easement, Mr. Walterson replied that he did not yet have a recorded view easement. He noted that he had been looking into it for the last two months and was worried about it. David Walker agreed with the previous speakers and was concerned about density-related issues, particularly parking, residents with more than two cars, and those who fill their garages with things other than cars. He noted that he believed it would be very difficult to control that and encouraged the Commission to not compromise the parking requirements for this area. Wilona Perry noted that she had lived in the neighborhood since 1964 and had seen many changes in the neighborhood. She believed the density of the proposed prof ect would be too high for the neighborhood and expressed concern about the height limit. She was concerned about the parking for 14 homes, which would bring in at least 28 more cars to the neighborhood. She noted that the homes would be 2,000 square feet, with teenage drivers, which would potentially allow for 35 to 40 cars. She believed there should be one guest parking space per person, per house. She believed that there should be a maximum of ten homes if the development were to proceed and that 14 homes was too many. She was concerned about the ability of the Fire Department to access the development and about the safety of people coming off of Main Street or Santa Rita Road, making aleft-hand turn to go down Stanley Boulevard, and then making another quick left turn to get into the property, especially during the afternoon drive time. She noted that the traffic on Stanley Boulevard has worsened and that it was especially bad during rush hour. She was concerned that there would be accidents and that it did not make any sense to have so many homes. With respect to the garage, she stated that some of her neighbors with teenage drivers had four cars and atwo-car garage. She stated that she did not believe it was feasible to tell someone that they could not have three cars when they only had two parking spaces. She expressed concern that their guests would not have room to park. She stated that she understood that the south side of the street was part of the Historic Downtown area and that the historic homes should be maintained. She stated that she did not believe the modern, high buildings fit into the area at all. She opposed this prof ect as proposed and believed the density was too high. Paul Martin noted that he lived in one of the historic houses on Foothill Road and that he and his family moved to Pleasanton for the quality of life. He noted that developments like this were created to meet the housing needs. He was concerned about the ability of his children to be able to afford to live in Pleasanton. He noted that he worked in real estate and believed the median home price in Pleasanton was almost a million dollars. He noted that everyone had to have a quality of life but that housing must also be provided for the residents. He noted that the 2002 Specific Plan was the reason for this property being high density and did not know why the General Plan was not in compliance; he trusted that staff was working on that issue. He stated that he believed the applicant did a good job and that the houses were attractive. He noted that some adjustment could be made to the elevations so they would be more in keeping with the existing homes on that side of the road, and he stated that he believed the applicant would be able to do that. He stated that he liked the landscaping plan and noted that pervious areas affected everyone. He indicated that he believed that the landscape architect had tried to address that issue and that he understood this would be a tough decision. He stated that he believed the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 21, 2008 Page 10 of 26