LAFCo: Build Stoneridge or lose Staples Ranch

LAFCo, the Alameda County Local Agency Formation Commission that has the final say on annexations, has warned Pleasanton that it may not approve the city’s planned annexation of the 126-acre Staples Ranch.

In a letter obtained by the Pleasanton Weekly that was sent to the city’s Associate Planner Robin Giffin by Mona Palacios, LAFCo’s executive officer and dated July 18, the LAFCo chief said the agency views the Stoneridge Drive extension as essential to any development on Staples Ranch.

LAFCo, she wrote, identifies Stoneridge Drive as a “Route of Regional Significance” that would provide a vital link to other cities in the Tri-Valley as well as a major parallel facility to the I-580 freeway and could potentially provide congestion relief for the 580 corridor. Because the extension is not part of the proposed project, LAFCo cannot certify the Environmental Impact Report that Pleasanton is offering as part of its annexation petition.

Still, there were smiles all around last week after the City Council approved in a 5-0 vote the basic terms for a ground lease for an ice rink on Staples Ranch.

After two years of public hearings and negotiations, it looked as if all the marbles were finally in place for a multi-million-dollar development of the vacant 126-acre parcel that will include a new auto row planned by Hendrick Automotive, a 600-800-unit adult and senior care complex to be built and operated by Continuing Life Communities, a 16-20 store retail center and the ice rink, a proposal by a subsidiary of the San Jose Sharks.

Missing in the master plan being drafted with these commercial, housing and recreational amenities, however, is an extension of Stoneridge Drive from its current eastern barrier at Trevor Road through Staples to connect to El Charro Road and Livermore, an extension LAFCo now says must part of the master plan before it can certify the final Environmental Impact Report needed for annexation.

The planned developments, which would bring millions of dollaars in tax revenue to Pleasanton, could still move forward, but with Staples either annexed into Livermore, which is waiting in the wings, or as part of Alameda County, which owns the land. Livermore already has approved development of a 200-store outlet mall across El Charro Road from Staples, a project that could also begin next year.

The debate over extending Stoneridge has simmered for years with a majority on the Pleasanton City Council still vehemently opposed to building the road as planned to El Charro Road until traffic congestion on I-580 is eased so that Stoneridge–which would link the El Charro interchange at 580 to I-680 and Foothill Road at its western terminus–doesn’t become a favored cut-through alternate by commuters.

About all the current council has agreed to is a memorandum of understanding with Supervisor Scott Haggerty and the county Board of Supervisors to keep the right-of-way for a Stoneridge extension open in the event the 580 traffic problem is solved or a future council approves the extension.

Two councilmembers, Cindy McGovern and Matt Sullivan, campaigned four years ago on the promise that they would not allow Stoneridge to be extended. Both are candidates now for reelection and they have not changed their minds.

Mayor Jennifer Hosterman also has resisted pressure from Haggerty and mayors Janet Lockhart of Dublin and Marshall Kamena of Livermore to include the Stoneridge extension as a part of the Staples Ranch development project.

But now the rubber is meeting the road which could bring Pleasanton’s hopes of annexing Staples screeching to a halt.

LAFCo’s letter was not discussed publicly during last week’s preliminary decision to allow the Sharks subsidiary to lease 7 acres of a proposed public park for its four-rink ice skating complex.

LAFCo’s approval is needed before Staples can be annexed into Pleasanton because this is the agency established by the state to have the final say in all annexation agreements. Without Stoneridge, outgoing LAFCo Chairwoman Jocelyn Combs said, the majority if the LAFCo board, which includes Haggerty, Lockhart and Kamena, will probably turn down Pleasanton’s annexation request.

That could change, of course. Two councilmembers–Jerry Thorne and Cheryl Cook-Kallio–could be persuaded to approve extending Stoneridge, which Haggerty has already said the county would finance. Since the petition to LAFCo is not likely to proceed until after the mayoral election on Nov. 4, it would then be up to the next mayor of Pleasanton–incumbent Mayor Jennifer Hosterman, who is seeking reelection, or her challenger Steve Brozosky–to cast the swing vote on whether to build the Stoneridge extension.

Then, too, the makeup of LAFCo’s board could also change, affecting how it votes on an annexation petition from Pleasanton. Combs stepped down Thursday from LAFCo’s board and that position has not yet been filled. Lockhart also will leave the board after her term as Dublin’s mayor expires Dec. 4. Kamena, who has health problems, could also leave the board although he is recovering and plans to resume his mayoral duties at Livermore City Council meetings next month. If so, as now an alternate on the LAFCo boaard, he could be expected to fill Lockhart’s position as a voting member of the board.

Hosterman was booted off the board after she missed numerous meetings while preparing for state bar exams. That leaves Pleasanton without any representation at LAFCo. That, too, could change if the Pleasanton council petitioned successfully to have its mayor seated again on the board after the Nov., 4 election.

LAFCo, Pleasanton,Staples Ranch

LAFCo, Pleasanton,Staples Ranch