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Robson Homes presenting its plan for the Barone's site

Uploaded: Mar 2, 2023
Pleasanton’s Planning Commission and City Council later this year will decide on the project proposed by Robson Homes to redevelop the site of the closed Barone’s restaurant.
The site is between the Rose Hotel and the Barone family’s personal home on St. John St. at the north end of downtown. Peters Avenue merges into St. John in front of the site.
Mark Robson, president of the homebuilding company, outlined plans for the site during a presentation to the Pleasanton Men’s Club. He frankly described it as the first outreach to the broader public after they’ve been working with city staff and close neighbors for a few years. The site was zoned for residential in the last update of the downtown plan.
Robson grew up in Arizona, the son of a homebuilder. His dad, now in his 90s, still is in the office daily. Robson moved out here to attend Santa Clara University, married a local woman and has operated his company here since 1989. The firm has built primarily in the Silicon Valley with single-family home projects, higher density multi-family developments and retail projects. It primarily has focused on infill or redevelopment projects. His company takes pride in meshing the infill projects into the existing neighborhoods and builds homes with upscale fit and finish.
The design for the Barone’s site includes two retail buildings with a patio that is patterned after Blacksmith Square in Livermore that Mike Madden developed. It will replace the restaurant building and Robson said he hopes to attract a winery or multi-winery tasting room for that space. The retail space followed direction from the Planning Commission in 2021.
The plan includes 14 single-family homes and have used an unusual 2 ½ story design to stay below 30 feet. That involves excavating for the garage below street level so only ½ the door shows on the streetscape. The garage entrance slopes down and allows parking for two vehicles with enough space to move around. The units also are built tightly together almost like row houses.
All of the homes are four bedroom and will hit the market, assuming approval, at more than $2 million. Robson frankly said they are luxury homes. It will be an easy stroll to Main Street and its variety of restaurants and shops. There is no similar housing demographic downtown once you get away from Second and Third streets to the east and a few larger homes on that side of Main street.
Robson expects some opposition to arise from somewhere—it’s an occupational hazard for homebuilders, particularly those doing infill and having to contend with neighbors. That said, they’ve been at it for more than 30 years so it’s far from their first rodeo.

Democracy.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Rich Buckley, a resident of Jensen Tract,
on Mar 2, 2023 at 12:23 pm

Rich Buckley is a registered user.

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE

Tim, Here's a Public Service Message short cut: Web Link Or Copy and Paste Web Link on a 2019 project Robson would probably find interesting.

EVEN TODAY CITY IGNORES

The City of Livermore pretends this site does not exist even today in identifying lands that can receive housing. The City's 350+ page report this very week, still ignores the site.

WHY WON'T CITY ADD THIS SITE?

I don't know why the City still does not add this site to their list. I speculate it's because it points out a solution that disrupts back room deals made with other sites and developer. But even still, it's wrong not to add this site I discuss in the linked Public Service Message above. There is a huge disconnect between the City and Residents on housing.

(1) Council members rely too much on staff and less on citizen input. But staff is primarily concerned with stability, cash flows and split-hair nuanced legalities. Everything is viewed through that lens.

(2) Council ignores broad based citizen input and when it conflicts with special interest working with the council, the broad based citizen input is labeled “the minority special interest." Renaming the good and calling it the bad becomes Orwellian in scope.

(3) Personal attacks rage endlessly on community activists who for decades served in the trenches to build vital broad based buy-in through out the community, for creative lasting solutions.

(4) Citizen Initiatives are ignored, subverted and attacked repeatedly with nuanced legal opinions justifying every step. Blistering, malicious personal attacks emanate in a cascade of council sponsored productions, using city funds to promote the council's special interests.

(5) Council looses all objectivity and finds itself unified in not listening, forcing truth seekers to use Referendums in order for the citizens to be fairly heard.

These are all indications of a disconnect...NAMASTE...Rich Buckley


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 3, 2023 at 12:00 pm

V is a registered user.

A few 2 million dollar houses is not what Pleasanton needs. We need more dense housing, especially in an area like downtown.

Pleasanton will become a retirement community if we do not build housing within the price range for young families.


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 3, 2023 at 12:00 pm

V is a registered user.

A few 2 million dollar houses is not what Pleasanton needs. We need more dense housing, especially in an area like downtown.

Pleasanton will become a retirement community if we do not build housing within the price range for young families.


Posted by Ming Zhao, a resident of another community,
on Mar 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm

Ming Zhao is a registered user.

What is wrong with building $2M homes for those can afford them?

Pleasanton is striving to become an upscale, professional community and building more expensive homes there will firmly establish this distinction.

Many affluent East Indian and Chinese professionals are looking forward to this new development.


Posted by Marianne Lowry, a resident of another community,
on Mar 3, 2023 at 4:25 pm

Marianne Lowry is a registered user.

Why not have both expensive housing and low cost housing in Pleasanton?

Just designate/zone prime residential sections of the city as exclusive high-end neighborhoods and the less desirable parts of town for affordable housing.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Mar 3, 2023 at 11:17 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

Marianne says

“ Just designate/zone prime residential sections of the city as exclusive high-end neighborhoods and the less desirable parts of town for affordable housing."

Ok, thanks for sharing your opinion.


Posted by Yvonne Hendricks, a resident of Danville,
on Mar 4, 2023 at 7:33 am

Yvonne Hendricks is a registered user.

• Just designate/zone prime residential sections of the city as exclusive high-end neighborhoods and the less desirable parts of town for affordable housing.

This sounds like a win-win solution in that everyone can then share the same zip code regardless of their Pleasanton neighborhood location and appearance.

Another low-cost housing option would be to establish a Section 8 trailer park in a less visible section of Pleasanton but within close proximity to strip malls for shopping conveniences.

Pleasanton could easily accommodate both the upwardly-mobile and lower wage earners because there is still plenty of space in which to do so.


Posted by Beatrice Tate, a resident of another community,
on Mar 4, 2023 at 9:04 am

Beatrice Tate is a registered user.

Cities that have county jails or state prisons (i.e. Dublin, Milpitas, San Jose, Redwood City, San Raphael etc ) are generally not the best places to live and should be re-considered for additional low-cost housing, regulated homeless ecampments, and 'starter homes' if they still have the acreage.


Posted by Lucille Baldwin, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 4, 2023 at 12:56 pm

Lucille Baldwin is a registered user.

There is plenty of room for everyone in the East Bay near 680...wealthy people, the homeless, and first-time home buyers.


Posted by Cassidy Yount, a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 4, 2023 at 1:38 pm

Cassidy Yount is a registered user.

Pleasanton and Dublin have more available land than they know what to do with.

Build a little something for everyone (the wealthy, the poor, and the homeless) and they will come.


Posted by Kevin, a resident of Castlewood,
on Mar 4, 2023 at 3:49 pm

Kevin is a registered user.

“ Cities that have county jails or state prisons (i.e. Dublin, Milpitas, San Jose, Redwood City, San Raphael etc ) are generally not the best places to live and should be re-considered for additional low-cost housing, regulated homeless ecampments, and 'starter homes' if they still have the acreage."

“ • Just designate/zone prime residential sections of the city as exclusive high-end neighborhoods and the less desirable parts of town for affordable housing.

This sounds like a win-win solution in that everyone can then share the same zip code regardless of their Pleasanton neighborhood location and appearance.

Another low-cost housing option would be to establish a Section 8 trailer park in a less visible section of Pleasanton but within close proximity to strip malls for shopping conveniences.

Pleasanton could easily accommodate both the upwardly-mobile and lower wage earners because there is still plenty of space in which to do so."

some of you have no idea what diversity and inclusion are about.


Posted by Emily Kashko, a resident of another community,
on Mar 5, 2023 at 9:40 am

Emily Kashko is a registered user.

> some of you have no idea what diversity and inclusion are about.

Some may not have a firm understanding of diversity and inclusion but the last time I checked, it still costs more to reside in Beverly Hills than in Compton and so those two considerations are often nullified by socio-economic disparities.

Oil and water don't mix and this also applies to people...being respectful and courteous towards others regardless of their background is both commendable and a good trait to have but who says they have to be your neighbors or friends?


Posted by Karl A, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Mar 5, 2023 at 9:50 am

Karl A is a registered user.

Let's increase the diversity of the Castlewood area by building more high density homes.

The elitists of Pleasanton have been looking down at the rest of us for decades - living in their exclusive and closed rich person Castlewood enclave.

It's time they start providing space for lower income people. Do your fair share to solve the housing crisis!!!

I think the same can be said about Ruby Hill. Knock down the gates and walls and let the unwashed poor move into their elitist community.


OR finally come with a development plan for the east side of Pleasanton that includes a high percentage of high density housing. The price of development should be having the developers and land owners sign over half the land to the city for lots of open space, trails and parks.

Cancel the Amazon distribution site, with its delivery vans and semis causing traffic issues and pollution. It took decades for Pleasanton to get rid of the gravels trucks going thru town. Why allow the Amazon transports. Build high density housing with a nice big park instead.


Posted by Melissa M, a resident of Downtown,
on Mar 6, 2023 at 10:05 am

Melissa M is a registered user.

I hope the city requires Robson to build around the many heritage trees on this site, most notably the beautiful oak tree on the west side of the property. These trees are not only a vital part of our local ecosystem, it symbolizes prosperity and beauty in our wonderful city. The trees add incredible value (both monetarily and emotionally) to our local citizens - both patrons of downtown and those of us that live here.

Currently, Robson has shown no regard in keeping any of the trees. They almost laugh at the idea, and seem to equate the existing enormous trees to many tiny seedlings they are "happy" to plant.

Save the trees!


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 6, 2023 at 12:47 pm

V is a registered user.

@Yvonne Hendricks and @Marianne Lowry @Kevin

It's bad for everyone if you segregate the city into high income housing and low income housing. It ends up leaving areas that just get left behind. Mixing developments are good for everyone.

Anyway why would you want a town full of old rich folks? The schools are already shrinking, it's going to end up as a retirement home, with poorly funded schools. To have a thriving town, you need to have it accessible to all age brackets. So young families can grow their roots and invest in the community in the long term.


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 6, 2023 at 12:47 pm

V is a registered user.

@Yvonne Hendricks and @Marianne Lowry @Kevin

It's bad for everyone if you segregate the city into high income housing and low income housing. It ends up leaving areas that just get left behind. Mixing developments are good for everyone.

Anyway why would you want a town full of old rich folks? The schools are already shrinking, it's going to end up as a retirement home, with poorly funded schools. To have a thriving town, you need to have it accessible to all age brackets. So young families can grow their roots and invest in the community in the long term.


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 6, 2023 at 12:47 pm

V is a registered user.

@Yvonne Hendricks and @Marianne Lowry @Kevin

It's bad for everyone if you segregate the city into high income housing and low income housing. It ends up leaving areas that just get left behind. Mixing developments are good for everyone.

Anyway why would you want a town full of old rich folks? The schools are already shrinking, it's going to end up as a retirement home, with poorly funded schools. To have a thriving town, you need to have it accessible to all age brackets. So young families can grow their roots and invest in the community in the long term.


Posted by V, a resident of Laguna Oaks,
on Mar 6, 2023 at 12:47 pm

V is a registered user.

@Yvonne Hendricks and @Marianne Lowry @Kevin

It's bad for everyone if you segregate the city into high income housing and low income housing. It ends up leaving areas that just get left behind. Mixing developments are good for everyone.

Anyway why would you want a town full of old rich folks? The schools are already shrinking, it's going to end up as a retirement home, with poorly funded schools. To have a thriving town, you need to have it accessible to all age brackets. So young families can grow their roots and invest in the community in the long term.


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