PC 070908 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ms. Hardy said that there is every expectation that the project would be in substantial conformance, although she could not confirm the exact number at the time. She reminded the Commission that the Ironwood project was the very first green project approved in Pleasanton. Chair Blank expressed his appreciation for Ponderosa's amenability to install sprinklers. Jereen Gilbert stated that many people could not be present at the meeting because of the late notice to surrounding neighborhoods and that she would be representing two groups of people. She said that she did not want to be involved but that she needed to do so as a parent. She indicated that people are very frustrated with City government as thousands of people have discussed the circulation issues at the intersection at Santa Rita and Mohr Avenue with Council and Commission members and no measures are being taken to mitigate them. She noted that many children are getting hit at this intersection. She stated that she believes the frustration is that people have said things they want considered, neighborhoods have come together and have recognized the limitations given the General Plan, and they all agree on the fact that no more development should occur along Busch Road until solutions to traffic issues can be proposed. She noted that the current levels of service are unacceptable; six children have been hit in the Valley Avenue area, and she believes it is the City's responsibility. She stated that she does not see any mitigation happening in terms of the traffic model resulting from this project because what is being proposed does not represent what the community has asked for. She stated that the Ponderosa project will bring many more homes to the area and many of the issues will come up again. Ms. Gilbert continued that the second issue she promised to bring up has to do with the term, "senior." She noted that people who will buy these homes may be 55 years old, but the traffic model will not reflect the numbers of trips they will take. She said she is the type of person who would purchase a home there, as she has a parent with Alzheimer's and there is a tremendous need. She noted, however, that when people originally discussed medium density, the prices were considered to be in line with what Ironwood Estates or the Classics were, but the appreciation on the price is almost 40 percent on similar homes in the area because the demand is very high. She noted that developers are not held to the same ethics as real estate agents. Ms. Gilbert requested that the matters she brought up be taken into consideration. David Rice stated that he is in support of the Ponderosa application for the PUD but opposed to the placement of an EVA at Sandstone Court. He noted that there has been no disclosure of the EVA by Ponderosa and that he did not attend the workshop that began this process because he did not have any notice that it PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 9, 2008 Page 19 of 39