|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A planned unit development plan to construct 22 single-family homes and 22 accessory dwelling units in the Happy Valley area received approval from the Pleasanton City Council last week.
Called the Flat at Spotorno Ranch, the project is proposed for construction on an approximately 112-acre vacant parcel adjacent to 1000 Minnie Drive, one mile south of Sunol Boulevard and also located in the Happy Valley Specific Plan. Each house built within the development will undergo individual design review before being approved for construction.
The plan earned 4-0 approval at the Feb. 15 council meeting, with Councilmember Jack Balch recusing himself from both the discussion and subsequent vote, based on direction from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) last month.
Balch disclosed that his aunt and uncle “live adjacent to the subject property,” and “are an indirect source of income to me, to a sufficient level that requires my recusal from this item.”
An agricultural/open space parcel deemed undevelopable by the city will be retained by the Spotorno family, which owns the land, and two common area parcels will be owned by the future homeowners association.
Based on “the desirability, great location and current robust real estate market here in Pleasanton,” John Spotorno told the council that his family “believes this is the right time to move forward with this project.”
An affordable housing agreement was also reached in conjunction with the project. Spotorno said that “each site must include an accessory dwelling unit, in addition to paying the full in lieu of affordable housing fee currently estimated in excess of a million dollars.”
“Although this project represents a minuscule percentage of Pleasanton’s housing stock, this infill project within two miles of downtown adjacent to the already developed Callippe (Preserve) Golf Course does add to the housing inventory in a manner consistent with adopted plans for this area,” Spotorno said.
In December, the project was unanimously approved as proposed by the Planning Commission, which also “emphasized that the section of the proposed Happy Valley Loop Trail along Alisal Street should be constructed as part of the subdivision improvements prior to construction on any residential homes,” according to a staff report.
Other on- and off-site improvements will also be paid for by the applicant, and include sidewalks, curbs, gutters, trails, stormwater retention areas, and water and sewage facilities.
Community development director Ellen Clark said “the project is adding a small increment of traffic and traffic safety improvements,” and that trail upgrades should help keep bicyclists and pedestrians “separated and distanced from traffic that exists today” on Happy Valley Road, where some residents have expressed concerns about speeding motorists.
Mayor Karla Brown told the Weekly that the 44 total units will apply to the city’s sixth cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), and said the project “will fit well in that part of the community.”
As someone who started her political career with a focus on preserving hillsides and open space, Brown said “the land that’s being used and protected against development, that hillside will be important for the area.”
Hahaha. If you can’t beat’em, join’em.