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Judith Geiselman said that she appreciates the Council's stance on the completion of Stoneridge Drive but cautioned against doing so until the circulation elements included in the 2025 General Plan have been implemented. She said that the Stoneridge Drive completion and inevitable widening would result in air quality deterioration and increased noise levels and she doubted assurances that it would not cause the loss of existing sidewalks, paths, landscapes buffers and medians or preclude eminent domain. She noted that the concrete wall extending along Stoneridge Drive now is not a real sound attenuating wall and recommended that the City and County partially mitigate the noise impacts by bearing the full cost of installing appropriate sound walls meeting the same criteria and specifications as those along I-580. Mona Palacios, Executive Officer for Alameda LAFCO, reviewed the agency's role in and stance on the annexation of the Staples Ranch property to Pleasanton. She explained LAFCO's concerns over the lack of any proposed mitigation for the loss of 74 acres of prime agricultural land and questioned the adequacy of the analysis of regional transportation impacts due to the lack of the Stoneridge Drive extension as a project alternative. Ms. Palacios cautioned that LAFCO cannot act on the annexation until adequate environmental documentation is available and may choose to delay annexation until that information is provided. Troy Bourne, Vice President of Continuing Life Communities (CLC), said that CLC has been involved with this project throughout the planning process, assisted staff with the development of these documents, and fully supports them. He shared his belief that this is the very best possible project for the community and noted that a large number of Pleasanton residents are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to enjoy what CLC offers. He urged the Council to move the project forward without delay. Vic Malatesta expressed support for the timely completion of this project. Dan Faustina, Co-Chair of Pleasanton First, read a joint statement by Pleasanton First and Friends of Pleasanton that stressed the value of the Staples Ranch project. He commended the City's efforts to ensure public involvement, urged the Council to expedite this process. Nancy Allen stated that failure to include the extension of Stoneridge Drive in the Staples Ranch Plan seems fiscally irresponsible and asserted that its inclusion would serve to increase the tax base and therefore benefit the entire community. She also expressed concern that the property may not be annexed to Pleasanton without this extension but suggested that Supervisor Haggerty should offer a commitment to other regional improvements like the completion of State Route 84. She reiterated that the Staples Ranch project is a benefit to the City's tax base but only if residents can reach those businesses. Dick Karn said he is a member of the senior community eagerly waiting to join the CLC and encouraged the Council to move forward as rapidly as possible with the project and the long overdue extension of Stoneridge Drive. Pat Cashman, ACSPA Director, acknowledged the joint effort required to bring this project to fruition while considering the contentious points of view surrounding it. He stated that the ACSPA has concluded that the Stoneridge Drive extension is an imperative part of this project and cautioned that regional acceptance of the project is in jeopardy without it. On behalf of Alameda County and Supervisor Haggerty, Mr. Cashman asked the Council to work with staff on finalizing this matter. He said careful consideration of the project's documents show that the EIR has adequately studied the long term impacts and environmental implications of the extension. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 14 February 3, 2009