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Vice Mayor Cook-Kallio said her understanding of the EIR is that we did not consider the issue <br />significant, so there is a difference of opinion. Ms. Giffin noted this was correct. <br />Matt Morrison, said the Sierra Club requests that the City Council not certify the Stoneridge Drive <br />Specific Plan Amendment, Staples Ranch EIR. In addition to their February 2"d letter, they noted <br />problems of proper mitigation and loss of habitat for the San Joaquin spearscale and other <br />inadequate proposed mitigation measures as detailed by the Alameda Creek Alliance. He urged the <br />Council not to certify the EIR until it includes a detailed analysis and discussion of the <br />environmental impacts and possible mitigations for the full extension of Stoneridge Drive. Insofar as <br />the Council intends to consider whether the full extension of Stoneridge Drive and EI Charro should <br />be part of the Stoneridge Drive Specific Amendment Staples Ranch project, that the amendment <br />DEIR provides for its sole reference one traffic study analyzing the impacts of Stoneridge Drive, not <br />including the results in the EIR and the amendment project DEIR repeatedly states that the <br />Stoneridge Drive extension is not part of the analysis. It is impossible for the Sierra Club to <br />determine the environmental consequences of the full extension of Stoneridge Drive including <br />attainment of air quality standards, project contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and <br />transportation planning to emphasize public transit, pedestrian and bicycle routes. He urged the <br />Council not to consider the environmental impacts piecemeal and request circulation of a complete <br />EIR including consideration of the full extension of Stoneridge Drive so the City Council, Sierra Club <br />and the public may make informed decisions based on impacts and alternatives for the entire <br />project. The Sierra Club welcomes the opportunity to work with the City to ensure positive solutions <br />to mitigate the Staples Ranch project in a fashion that will benefit the health and well being of <br />residents, visitors and the biological resources found on the site. <br />Tom Kelly said he only opposes the extension. <br />David Stark felt completion of Stoneridge Drive will ensure the City's maintains control over the <br />development of Staples Ranch, viability of commercial components of the plan, and that residents <br />will have convenient access to amenities offered by Staples Ranch He asked the Council to <br />approve Option 3 and say yes to Pleasanton's future. <br />Paul Mercurio felt the long-term vision of the City should include the connection of Stoneridge Drive, <br />asked the extension to go out to Livermore, and felt rubberized asphalt would reduce noise. <br />Scott Johnson suggested rather building BART to Livermore, building a freeway from San Jose to I- <br />5, fixing SR 84, and felt I-580 was dysfunctional, and urged the Council to vote no on the extension. <br />Kurt Arends, Zone 7 Water Agency, said they provided written comments on the EIR and response <br />provided was not adequate in addressing their concerns. A follow up letter sent reiterated their <br />concerns, which have to do with the bridge over the Arroyo and potential impacts to the channel, <br />hydrology, biology, and Zone 7's ability to access and maintain the channel. He provided an <br />additional letter and asked that it be included into the record. <br />Richard Pugh, Friends of Pleasanton, said they are the joint stakeholder to the settlement <br />agreement described in Attachment 14, expressed concern that the settlement, partnering and <br />project work for Option 1 is being compromised. Staff has diligently worked with the community to <br />create Option 1 ready to move forward. The MOU spelled out the design elements in a stable plan, <br />there was no expiring of the MOU contemplated when it was created. The issue is now being <br />mentioned as new, but in his judgment, is not new--the issue of converting Stoneridge Drive to <br />connect to EI Charro and Jack London were on the table with the MOU, as well as the EVA, and the <br />scare tactics of having the land stolen and participation or not of the businesses. What is new is the <br />City Council Minutes Page 11 of 17 February 24, 2009 <br />