CCMIN101999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Lila Bringhurst, 990 Sycamore Road, indicated she had purchased the Frost property and believed the parcel had a designated density. That is now gone. Does that mean other elements of the North Sycamore Specific Plan, such as privacy, will also be gone? She was amazed staff could spend ten years designing a plan for 69 units that is now reduced to 48 units. It seems the cost for off-site improvements is $100,000 per house. We have to have some concern about the cost to future residents of Pleasanton. She felt these houses will be over a million dollars. She agreed Council should vote tonight on these projects. She believed the density should be raised to 51 units. There have been many vocal neighbors who have fought for themselves. This proposal is worthy of a positive vote and let New Cities get on with its plan. Mark Silliman, 954 Hopkins Way, was impressed with the neighborhood support of the North Sycamore Specific Plan and asked for consideration on the trail and access road. Chris Peterson, 5213 Independence Drive, agreed with a density of 48 homes and stated the only issues are the trail and access road. He was concerned about privacy. There being no further speakers, the Mayor closed the public heating. Ms. Ayala asked why a gravel road is needed to the creek if it is to be improved. Mr. Swift replied that ongoing maintenance is necessary as well as emergency access which may be required in the winter, when the ground on the hillside will be soft. There has been flooding in that creek in the past. The key issue is at the border of this property and the Ventana Hills subdivision where it goes into a large pipe and anything that obstructs that pipe will cause a flood in Ventana Hills, so being able to reach that inlet is a key issue. Ms. Ayala inquired about the safety of the creek. If an access road is completed, will that be any less safe than any other access to creeks that we have in Pleasanton. Mr. Swift said safety has to do with steepness of the bank. The bank will be improved in such a way that it will be flattened a bit. There are many agencies that have to issue permits for this and how it will be stabilized is not clear at this point. The project is conditioned to construct bank stabilization and it is hoped that would reduce the severity of the drop off at the bank. Mayor Tarver inquired about the suggestion made to lay gravel and let the grasses grow through it. Mr. Swift stated that staff prefers to have an all weather road. It is not certain it will stay looking like a gravel road for long. The area will be landscaped with trees and grass rather than shrubs that were in the original conditions. The road will not be visible from the yards of the existing homes. The neighbors are concemed that if there is a road 15 10/19/99 Pleasanton City Council Minutes