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Heritage Building Ordinance Commissioner Pearce noted that there has been a considerable amount of discussion in the past about a Heritage Building Ordinance but that the City does not one. Mr. Dolan stated that the Downtown Specific Plan suggests that the City develop one. He indicated that his understanding is that a draft was written and the process was started; however, it died due to a lack of support. Commissioner Pearce inquired if the Commission to look into such an ordinance. She indicated that she would like to have some more clarity when cases like the item on tonight’s agenda come before the Commission. She added that the Commission has seen a couple of these items in the past where older homes near the Downtown are scheduled for demolition. She reiterated that she would really like to have guidelines that have been created by the City. Mr. Dolan noted that what was not discussed tonight was the response to some of the other language in the Downtown Specific Plan which states that when there is a question about the historical architectural value of a building, a certain study needs to be done; however, the City has not really done this in the past. He stated that staff has started to evaluate these projects as they come forward and solicits a professional opinion as to whether or not the building meets the criteria for preservation. He noted when the building does meet the criteria, the ability to tear it down is much more limited because of that kind of resources addressed in CEQA. He indicated that in the case of the project considered earlier this evening, the evaluation was done and the conclusion by the City’s expert was that this house was not one to preserve. Commissioner Blank recalled that this topic was well-taken when he was first appointed to the Commission as an Alternate. He noted that the discussion about a historic preservation ordinance was very vigorous the first couple of years, but was not going anywhere and the interest waned. Commissioner Pearce stated that she would like the City to have its own standards. She noted that she had read the documentation quite thoroughly and understood what it said; however, the standards were those not developed by Pleasanton. She acknowledged that there are standards developed by Federal and State heritage associations but that it would be great if Pleasanton could have its own standards because she does not like having to rely on standards developed by people outside this community when dealing with cases like this that come before the Commission. She asked the Commissioners if they would support having staff look into where the City is at this point with respect to creating such an ordinance. Commissioner Pentin stated that when he saw the age of the house and read the report, he found the Architectural Resources Group’s report lukewarm at best, which indicated that the house was dilapidated and not one that should or could be restored. He added that he also does not like to see homes that old bulldozed no matter how bad PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 15, 2010 Page 20 of 23