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Otis Nostrand reviewed the General Plan's history relative to the extension of Stoneridge Drive. He voiced support for the Staples Ranch project combined with the Stoneridge Drive extension and cited LAFCO approval, County funding, tax revenue, job creation, much needed senior housing, improved and equitable housing circulation, added open space, recreation opportunities, improved public safety, and fiscal responsibility as incentives. He cautioned that failure to include a completed Stoneridge Drive may jeopardize the entire project and delay focus on the completion of State Route 84. Jan Batcheller concurred with Mr. Nostrand and suggested that Pleasanton look at this as its own stimulus package. She encouraged the Council to take decisive and fiscally responsible action by approving the EIR with the inclusion of the Stoneridge Drive extension tonight. She acknowledged the importance of considering all points of view but stated that Pleasanton has a history of exceedingly lengthy and expensive planning methods. She asked for leadership that offers consideration without losing sight of what is best for the entire community. Tom Miller referred to the proposed Stoneridge Drive extension maps and asked the Council if it were willing to be forced to create a "two mile onramp to I-580" and urged the Council not to be bullied into making another freeway out of Stoneridge Drive. Matt Morrison, Chair of the Tri-Valley Sierra Club chapter and Sierra Club representative to the Eastern Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS), stated that the Tri-Valley Sierra Club voted unanimously to ask the Council not to approve the Staples Ranch Specific Plan EIR. In addition to the inadequate mitigation measures outlined by the ACA, the club felt there was improper mitigation for the San Joaquin spearscale habitat loss. He explained the alkali nature of the plant's habitat and acknowledged that while little is known about the species' biology and germination habits, it is known to germinate in response to soil disturbance and persist in weedy grasslands dominated by exotic species such as at Staples Ranch. Mr. Morrisson explained that the spearscale carries a California Native Plant Society ranking of 1 B.2 or "fairly endangered" with unknown but presumably stable or declining population trends. He cited historic conversion of alkali grassland to agriculture and urban use, overgrazing, and impacts associated with road and utility line construction and maintenance as the spearscale's principle threats. The San Joaquin spearscale is a recommended focus for the EACCS and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. He opposed the claim that the potential population loss has already been fully and successfully mitigated by the Arroyo Mocho realignment project due to the lack of supporting documentation and inadequate study of the species population and habitat. The Sierra Club maintains that the EIR does not adequately demonstrate that the impacts would be less than significant nor does it support defining prior mitigations as current ones or the address of EIR deficiencies in separate agreements. Mayor Hosterman asked what the current distribution of the San Joaquin spearscale is and what percentage of that currently occurs on the Staples Ranch site. Mr. Morrison shared a distribution map; he could not provide percentages but said that most occurrences are within Alameda County. He noted that most of its original habitat in San Joaquin Valley has been disrupted by agricultural conversion. Mr. Morrison added that he would support a 30-day continuance of the item to allow staff the opportunity to provide more environmental documents. Mayor Hosterman said that, depending upon the Council's decision tonight, she would invite him to assist staff in future plans for habitat protection. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 14 February 3, 2009