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Ms. Ayala asked if he had talked to any of the Planning Commissioners before the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Chestnut said he had not talked to any of the Commissioners. He was not sure of the process. He thought the plans would speak for themselves. He did submit a petition to the Planning Commissioners from neighbors that have reviewed the plans and supported the project. Ms. Ayala asked for a show of hands that supported the project. A significant number of hands were raised. There was a break at 9:00 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:07 p.m. Mayor Tarver declared the public hearing open. He indicated people from the audience, who had to leave, told him they supported the project. He also had letters supporting the project. Patrick Knapp, Stanley Boulevard, said he is not attacking the Chestnuts' character or their home. He said the problem is a design issue and the mass of the building. The size of the house does not fit into the character of the neighborhood. He is asking that a different design be looked at. The staff report talks about a heritage tree that is in the way. The tree is a pine tree and could be removed. He was wondering if the house could be turned around to accommodate the neighbors. He said the Chestnuts have not worked with the immediate neighbors. The people that signed the petition are not directly impacted by the project. None of the neighbors that live next door to the project are in favor of the project the way it stands. He felt this project is a planning issue. He was upset with a letter sent to reaRors stating the houses on Stanley Boulevard are a product of bygone history. Some of Pleasanton's heritage is the nice homes in the downtown area. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 against this project. He said other large homes in the area face the street, but the Chestnut's home faces his back yard, side yard, bedrooms and living room. He is asking that the house be turned to face the street and minimize the impact to his property. He felt if this application is approved, there will be others, and the neighborhood will be mined. He can't live with the structure as it is proposed. Roger Manning, 4725 First Street, said that as a real estate broker, he represents numerous homeowners who would like to fulfill their dream of building a custom home. He was disturbed at the process that has taken place with the Chestnuts. When a homeowner buys a home in Pleasanton, they should be able to build or remodel according to the roles and the City needs to abide by those roles, not allow the Planning Commission to establish new zoning procedures with every application. He described problems a property owner in Bonde Ranch had in wanting to build a two-story home, despite the fact that there were no roles or regulations that limited the property to a single story home. He was disturbed over this recent action of the Planning Pleasanton City Council 13 02/16/99 Minutes