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indicate that re-circulation is appropriate to address such information. Councilmember McGovern <br />said she therefore supported re-circulation. <br />Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. <br />Pat Cashman, Director of Alameda County Surplus Property Authority, said over the last year, ever <br />since the Draft EIR was released, it set off a fire storm with other communities and LAFCO that the <br />County changed its stance. He said he felt the project would run into a brick wall if it goes forward <br />without the extension. The MOU has not been amended but they have proposed in several letters <br />changes to the MOU, the most significant of which is should the City change its mind and elect to <br />build Stoneridge Drive concurrent with their project, we would build the cost of it in their estimation, <br />which is about $5 million. In addressing some hard-to-define or hard-to-quantify mitigations that <br />might be required, they have added $1 million for the City to use to address offsite mitigations, in <br />addition to the traffic impact fees from the developers. He said they are not prepared to go to <br />LAFCO without the extension. He has participated in Tri-Valley meetings, heard the perspective <br />from a regional basis that Stoneridge Drive fits into the mosaic, and representatives in other <br />communities and their LAFCO representatives are adamant about the issue. He said they see the <br />project as requiring the extension. He reminded the Council that Stoneridge Drive is part of the <br />City's Specific Plan. Because it is part of the Specific Plan, it is subject to a less rigorous review, but <br />nevertheless it is rigorously analyzed in the Draft and Final EIR. They believe Option 3 is the <br />preferred option. If more process is required, he said Option 2 could be approved, but he does not <br />want to see the Specific Plan and Stoneridge Drive separated. If this is chosen, the offer by them to <br />fund $6 million is taken off the table. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said it is interesting how circumstances change at the last minute when it <br />is almost too late to do something about it. Mr. Cashman noted the EIR changed in response to <br />Caltrans, Dublin and LAFCO's concerns. Councilmember Sullivan said this community went along <br />with this because they thought there was a commitment to a process and now it is something else. <br />He said Mr. Cashman has responded to the region but not to the City of Pleasanton. <br />Councilmember McGovern presented a letter from LAFCO to the City about the EIR and it came in <br />after the period for comments. The City's letter back to LAFCO states that the comments are not <br />timely and that the City's responses are not in the Final EIR. Mr. Cashman said LAFCO will be a <br />responsible agency that will have to decide on its own terms whether the EIR is adequate or not. <br />She said LAFCO's first point to the City about anything was dated July 18, 2008. <br />Ann Pfaff-Doss said she felt it would be a benefit to the City for Stoneridge Drive to be extended. <br />Sanject Kumar disapproves the Stoneridge Drive extension. <br />Billie Otis said those in favor of the extension say it is for the good of all in Pleasanton because it <br />improves traffic circulation and safety. She voiced concern with timing of construction phases of the <br />Draft Policy Statement regarding Transportation Priorities and Commitments, EI Charro and Stanley <br />has been omitted, she questioned if Dublin, Livermore and Alameda County stand by the policy, <br />and the commitment and timing of SR 84 construction. <br />Nancy Harrington supported making Stoneridge Drive a through street all the way to Livermore. <br />Stacey Borsody felt that the extension of Stoneridge Drive in conjunction with the development of <br />Staples Ranch is the only option that is in the best interest for all of Pleasanton. <br />Becky Dennis spoke regarding one of the problems listed with Option 3 and noted that some <br />community members may not be satisfied unless additional environmental work is done, but she felt <br />City Council Minutes Page 8 of 17 February 24, 2009 <br />