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Uploaded: Friday, January 25, 2008, 2:17 PM                                            
Updated: Thursday, February 7, 2008, 2:13 PM

First of 2 public meetings on Staples Ranch at Mohr School tonight
Workshops aimed at developing master plan for 17-acre park site at northeast corner of city

Posted by Cosmic-Charlie, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jan 25, 2008 at 3:55 pm

I swear this area will end up looking just like the I-80 corridor all the way to Sacramento with shopping centers, car dealerships, and who knows what else. I know, I know, there will be a 600 bed care facility, and the park and some other stuff that we don't need. Why can't we just get some agricultural in there, and grow some corn or tomatoes. I just don't recognize this place anymore. Something has to be done, and I don't think more development is the answer. Oh how I long for the good old days.

Posted by Gary, a resident of the Laguna Vista neighborhood, on Jan 25, 2008 at 5:04 pm

It is unfortunate there will no longer be open space seperating Livermore from Pleasanton. At least now you can see when you are leaving Pleasanton and entering Livermore. It appears in the future there will be nothing but shopping centers or car dealerships all along the I-580 freeway. Soon to come will be the loss of more open space to make way for a huge Toyota dealership in Livermore off of the freeway.

Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Jan 25, 2008 at 7:51 pm

Hi Neighbor, Hi Neighbor...I knew that eventually Pleasanton would become our backyard! Don't forget, there will be more junk food restaurants, British Pubs, more undocumented workers employed and we'll all be closer together! HOORAY!

Yup, no more open spaces, no more cornfields. Not to worry, Pleasanton will gradually become less cultural and most certainly more agricultural! Tee hee hee, tee hee hee...

Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2008 at 8:10 am

Article posted on Mar 2, 2007 in the Pleasanton Weekly claims the Sharks facility to be located on 8 acres in the 17 acre park site.

Did the Sharks change their proposal or has the city changed their position?

Why not just give up the whole 17 acres?

Posted by RS, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 7, 2008 at 3:50 pm

I think everyone would love to see the hillsides remain along 580…and cows grazing etc. But, the land is OWNED by the county of Alameda…not Pleasanton..not Livermore.

Do you honestly think that Alameda County does not want to see that particular piece pf property developed for the revenues it will generate? Of course you don’t.

We know the land will be developed. The question is what type of development and who will ultimately play a role in that development…and share in the amenities it can afford the residents of the valley - as well as who will see any money from it.

I, for one, am very happy that Pleasanton residents are getting together to discuss the development and it is my hope and prayer that the projects go forward under the influence of the city of Pleasanton.

I am not sure how many of those reading this have been to the meetings…heard the alternatives…spoken to County Supervisors, etc. If you have not done so…I recommend you do. And that you don’t look at this as a "us" against "them" situation.

Development has been planned for this piece of property for years and years. It will come. I think the real question for us at this point is "what will you do to ensure the benefits of the development remain with Pleasanton"?

Posted by Patricia, a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Feb 8, 2008 at 2:46 pm

What happened to the Sharks ice rink? Is it still part of this development? None of the articles ever mention it any more.

Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 9, 2008 at 5:02 am

Attended the workshop the other night.

There was a very un-impressive presentation by the Sharks affiliate for a massive 120,000 square foot facility with 4 ice skating surfaces. Do we really have that many ice skaters in Pleasanton?

Is this a community park or a regional park?

Staples Ranch is being developed for large commercial retail and auto sales with considerably large sized buildings.

Is there a limit to how many and the size of the buildings that Staples Ranch should have?

Where did our Pleasanton go?

Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Feb 10, 2008 at 7:50 am

There's going to be a third meeting on Staples Ranch Community Park scheduled for March. Even fewer attendees at this meeting. Similar format to last Thurs night meeting with great ideas for the parks amenities. Ideas were gathered in groups, then displayed for each person to place their 4 priority colored stickers beside their preferences. After everyone had placed their stickers, it looked like several priority amenties were identified. The top vote getters appeared to be Tennis Courts, Open Space, Sports Fields, Parking, Picnic Area, Dog Walk and a scattering of votes for asthetic features such as Trees, Preservation of Sight Lines etc. However, the most fascinating situation developed with the votes placed for No Sharks Ice vs. Sharks Ice and Two Rink Phased Development.

By far, these three had more votes than all of the other ideas listed on the display boards. Its very obvious that many in this town do not wish to put a ice skating facility in the park, but that many voters may consider a reduced size ice facility with a smaller footprint. Perhaps the Sharks could modify their proposed 4 ice rink plan and make it more environmentally friendly and keep the community from dividing itself again. Are we ready for more fireworks?

Posted by Patricia, a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Feb 15, 2008 at 2:22 pm

"Do we really have that many ice skaters in Pleasanton"

We have a lot and would have more if there were an alternative to 5 a.m. ice time at the pit that is Dublin Iceland. I know parents that drive to Fremont, San Jose and Oakland to play hockey and parents with little girls who dream of figure skating who don't want them to watch teenage boys changing in the lobby because there's no access to locker rooms and the tiny bathrooms are filthy.

And there are even more if we agree that a facility in this location -- on the border of Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin right near the 580/680 interchange SHOULD be regional. (So should our traffic planning, but that's another issue.) Anyway, my neighbors in Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore are all part of my community, so it's the same thing.