Look at all the old people in the photo attached to this story. Why are all the old people always complaining when anyone wants to build anything in Pleasanton? Times change. Change with the times or move on. You don't have much any chance stopping the much needed business and residential development going on in Pleasanton.

What an intelligent, well-founded comment that was. Certainly convinced me.

I'm 31, and wanted to attend. But with getting my toddler dinner and to bed- I couldn't make it.

This land should not be used for more homes. The younger adults that are homeowners have a lot more to lose. We have bought in at historic highs and made huge investment decision to make pleasanton home. Our kids are the ones that will be impacted with overcrowded schools. We are the ones that will have longer commutes with extra traffic.

What makes you think the value of your house will go down?

The schools will be improved, not harmed by this. Just look at Dublin.

Yeah look at Dublin. Looked at the hills in East Dublin lately? There are so many houses and apts that it's scarey.
They are building on ever available piece of land.
I'm glad it's going to be put to the vote!
Finally we get to say what happens in our tomn!

Who in the world would live in Dublin over Pleasanton? You like Dublin Bob? Go live there with their over building, second and third tier retail and every bad chain restaurant in America.

"You like Dublin Bob? Go live there with their ..."

I tried. Kept getting out bid for the nice places. They were going way over asking.

@BobB :"Change with the times or move on. You don't have much any chance stopping the much needed business and residential development going on in Pleasanton."

Further business and residential development of Pleasanton is "much needed"? You're joking, right? All the business and residential development thus far, including the past few years, isn't enough for you?

I say the city (tax payers) purchase the portion of the 1,100-acre East Side site not already owned by them and rezone for water supply and reclamation projects.

I'll pitch in $2 per acre, let's build a parking lot of 1100 acres, and have sideshows on the weekends. I'm sure all of the peeps from Dublin would like a place for sideshow and drifting.

BTW, when are you called OLD... over 30 ?

There are so many valid concerns that need to be considered before taking on such a significant number of additional housing units (none affordable) and retail. I believe that the impact of the already approved housing units (hundreds of them) must be understood and realized in real numbers regarding the effect on our schools, our water supply (we have NO water storage capability) and traffic. I'm not sure Bob is aware of the reality of what is in the pipeline already. There was an estimate, I read, of 1.1 students per household being anticipated, when the actual number that Dublin has experienced turns out to be 3. We need to actually see what comes about with the new housing being built before we leap to such a big commitment. Do you see any new schools in the plan? Quality of life has always been first and foremost in Pleasanton and yes, the 'old' people who have made this town what it is do want to guard it for the future PTown residents, many of them our own children.

Marianne

I say the city (tax payers) purchase the portion of the 1,100-acre East Side site not already owned by them and rezone for water supply and reclamation projects.

I SAY THE DEVELOPERS NEED TO PAY FOR THIS INFRASTRUCTURE.

Shouldn't we want to build houses to accommodate our children when they are ready to settle down. You have to laugh at people who live in houses thinking other people shouldn't have the same opportunity. Maybe the state should pass a law saying a city needs to provide housing equal to the demands of children raised in the city.

Homes can be built that require very little water. That is a bogus issue.

We need to stop allowing the 30 people in Pleasanton who are against everything to dictate the future of this community. We need to plan for the future...it is coming wether we like it or not.

When will the housing/shopping across from McDonald's join in the Valley Ave slow-walking parade?? Election should not be held until after we see and 'live' with that addition...to already full Valley Ave.
25 years ago there was no 'under' pass/train trestle. Drivers used alternate routes. One might think we could use those alternate routes. Nope, politicians during those 25 years have done friends 'favors' by 'walling' off and dead-ending all access in town. Politicians caused the Valley Ave gridlock, so they can now create openings, suitable for an addition 2,000 drivers. In those 25 years we also added all of Ruby Hill to this pile-up. Pleasanton created the world-class 'JOB' center. Now we need alternate routes to accommodate commuters to that Hacienda job center, and BART.

There is a growing "small house" movement, where "small house" means 250 to 500 square feet. No, that's not a typo. These are beautifully-thought-out plans that use space and resources wisely. It would be an excellent way to get housing that is affordable by younger people and folks who don't make $150K a year. Such development could also include some office space, if needed - another good source of revenue.

Furthermore, by combining this with some retail space, it can be profitable enough for the developer that the dev fees would help pay for a recycled-water distribution system. In other words, installing pipes to bring recycled irrigation water to all of Pleasanton. The DSR water treatment plant has lots of water for us; we just need to get it delivered.

Pleasanton could lead the way with truly efficient and affordable housing and also efficient use and re-use of water.

BobB. It's us old people that helped to make Pleasanton what it is today, we all hope you have been enjoying our town because if you ever get what you and those developers want the good times here will come to an end!! "Martha" you want the state to force the city to build housing for the local kids, that's the best one yet, maybe we could make that part of the welfare system!!! OR maybe they could get a job, scrimp and save, start out small with a fixer upper and work their way up like the rest of us, go with the tough love with no freebies, the kids will thank you later.

I was one of the residents that attended the meeting on Tuesday. A few interesting points I saw were:
1. There's were only 5 people that raised their hands that they were in favor of the project. A Chamber of commerce big shot, the land owner rep., some older blonde lady with attitude who said she has lived here for 50 years, and another older bald guy. No one under 30 or under 50 years old were in favor of this project.
2. I had to wait a little while until a seat opened up before I could sit in the main room.
3. I am 27 years old and recently married. My husband and I are renting while we are shopping for a home in Pleasanton. So far we have been out bid 2 times, but we are not giving up. We want to raise our family in Pleasanton. We do not want to live in Dublin or Livermore.
4. About 150 people attended and more would have stayed but when they found out there was so little room, they left.

Let's all get along. It is not bad that the large majority of people want Pleasanton to stay nice and smaller sized. It is okay to want to live in a smaller town. Stop trying to vilanize us. More is NOT better.

Oh and regarding property rights, if the gravel companies want to build industrial parks and a warehouse, those are jobs, and that is okay with me. That is what I heard the land is Zoned for, so let's leave it like it is.

"Although a show of hands called for by Thorne indicated that most in the room wanted the planning process stopped, there were also some who urged that it be continued, including East Side landowners and developers who have already spent near $1 million for consultants and the draft EIR."

Well, we all know that those rich land developers have the interests of the people of Pleasanton at heart.

;-)

I can't imagine living in a house so close to the airport anyway. Small planes you say, not exactly so. Ken Behring (Blackhawk) has permission to fly in and out on his huge private jet. Just ask those at Mohr Elementary how noisy it is.
And what about all those 'hobby' pilots without a lot of experience? And don't forget the experimental planes there too.
People better take a long hard look at this before developing it.
Then start selling bottled water to those that will live out there cause they are gonna need it. How many Alhambra bottles does it take to fill a bathtub anyway?

Some of us couldn't attend the meeting, but wrote in to the City Council. I think the worst thing we can do is stop planning for the future! Now -- during the drought -- is the time to get things like recycled irrigation infrastructure written into the development plan. Wait until we're going through a wet cycle, and that will not even come up. And I like the idea of smaller "starter" homes that younger families could afford (and believe me, even those would require scrimping and saving in Pleasanton!) Maybe not micro houses, but homes like those built in earlier days -- 1500 square feet or so. All the recent development has been huge mansions that brought in all the rich folks, who now want to slam the door to anyone coming up behind them. This attitude that I or my kids don't "deserve" to live in Pleasanton is kind of insulting. We work hard, and so do they. But I bought into this city years ago, when it was more affordable. If I wanted to move here now, I wouldn't be able to afford my own home. And now that our kids have grown and WORK here, they can't afford to live here. So, send them to Oakland. They can teach your kids and keep your city running smoothly, but they're not good enough to live here? They're lazy, good-for-nothings asking for handouts, instead of scrimping and saving?

I say start building those smaller affordable homes in ruby hills and along east vineyard ave, maybe even put those round-abouts back in that the privileged had taken out. What a fiasco

@property rights -

Well as you shop for a home be sure it isn't a newer home, otherwise you might be seen as hypocritical.

Some of those people who you were unable to identify, and who I don't always agree with, have been involved with, and have given their time to Pleasanton for years. Jan Bachelor, Frank Capilla, Frank Brandes, Chris Bourg, Herb Ritter, Kay Ayala, Kelly Cousins, Brock Roby, David Nagler...I could go on and on. All of these people were at the meeting. They don't agree on issues but they have given their time selflessly to the city.

I would venture to say that in sharp contrast the vast majority of the people in the CC Chambers had never stepped foot in the chambers before the last couple of meetings.

It's ok to say you disagree with someone, but those people (and not all of them are older, as if that matters at all) have given a lot of their time and they have the institutional memory as well. They deserve some respect.

As for everyone who just discovered we have a specific plan process, just learned what an EIR is, or even just figured out where city hall is located, I encourage you to get involved in your local government. Apply to be on a task force; apply to be on a commission. There are a myriad of ways to actually give back to our city that involve more than wearing stickers to council meetings.

I agree with Oliver Heaviside. I think the tiny home movement is something to consider. It may not be for everyone but it certainly should be an option for those of us who are open to the concept. Come on developers....get with the program. Where are the tiny houses we are asking you for? There is a huge movement and market that needs to be tapped. There is money to be made. I'm talking some off the grid type of homes too. Recycled water type homes. Get out that sun oven and have a yard party !
Affordable housing in Pleasanton is non- existent . Even renting in Pleasanton is not affordable any more. I don't think stopping the development is the answer. Yes we have a drought going on but housing is needed as well.
Developers are you listening ??? TINY HOMES PLEASE.

@Libby

Tiny homes are only going to be attractive to a small segment of the population, mostly young singles. You see a lot of "tiny homes" (or, actually, "tiny apartments") being built in the downtown San Francisco area. That's fine for many young singles who want close access to downtown San Francisco including its nightlife and are readily willing to sacrifice some apartment living space in order to achieve that. Heck, if I were still a young single, those mini-apartments in San Francisco would be attractive to me, too.

But Pleasanton? Families of course are not going to be able to live in a "tiny house". And most singles aren't going to want to live in a tiny house or tiny apartment, either, when they can get a standard-sized apartment for just a bit more anywhere else in the Pleasanton-Dublin area. The only hope would be if the rent of a "tiny house" apartment were significantly lower compared to the cost of a standard apartment, but I think that we all know that that is unlikely. There are a lot of fixed costs associated with building an apartment which have little to do with its square footage (e.g., electrical, plumbing, heating and AC). An apartment with half the square footage of a standard apartment is not going to rent for half as much as a standard apartment. The price difference probably wouldn't be enough to sway most young singles looking to live in the Pleasanton area. Pleasanton is a nice town to live in but, unlike downtown San Francisco, Pleasanton doesn't offer a compelling reason for singles to accept a large reduction in living space in return for close access.

Libby...Hello Aren't there 1800 housing units being or planning to be built in Pleasanton, in the near future to meet our state mandated housing needs. Things look less threatening when you look at an architect's plan of a residential development; but it does not show the true impact the development will bring. As a citizen of Pleasanton, I want to see what these already approved residential and retail developments will have on our traffic, water, schools and general quality of life; before considering adding any new potential residential or retail building to the mix. There are some legitimate issues why the EPSP should be stopped now.Instead, we get to put it on a ballot and throw thousands of more dollars and hundreds of more city staff hours on it. Karla and Mayor Thorne should of went with Councilman Jerry Pentin's recommendation to stop the process now.

Those high rent new apartments going up across from Mc Donalds are a joke and an insult to anyone in need of affordable housing. At least the tiny home concept would allow for ownership to those of us who hate to throw our thousands away each month down the toilet and have nothing to show for it. Some of these tiny homes are absolutely amazing ! And some give you the option to be off grid. Do your apartments do that? No.

Be assured the City Council put it up for a vote so they can hope for voter apathy. When is our town going to get smart and stop electing people who are in alignment with Developers. We need to throw the 3 out and stop their income flow from Developers. As for giving our kids a chance to live in Pleasanton. Will any of our kids be able to afford million dollar plus houses. This was a dumb comment.

You people keep asking for "little homes" and you are going to get storage containers stacked 3 high with doors and windows cut in them, a couple drought tolerant plants around the perimeter, and people stacked inside them like sardines!!! Be careful what you ask for those money grabbing developers won't go home empty handed.

I was at the city council meeting. I heard a council person state that Dublin has another 8700 high density units being built now. Ever try to take BART? You can't park. How about driving over the Sunol grade during commute hours? It's a standstill. I don't even need to comment on 580.

We can't control what happens in Dublin and San Ramon. We can at least take responsibility for our own community. Look at environmental impact. Look at traffic impact. Look at the impact to quality of life. Ever been to Roseville? I don't want to live in some developer's ideal of planned community paradise with stack and pack housing and mini malls as far as the eye can see.

Get involved with land use organizations like the Tri Valley Conservancy or Save Mount Diablo or even East Bay Regional Parks. The 680 corridor needs our help before we cede all available land to development.

While I like having a voice and influencing decisions with a vote (I.e. parcel taxes), if our elected officials can't represent (accurately) the interests of the people that elected them, what value are they providing?

@What??
Can you please elaborate about the "income flow" that the council receives from developers? I constantly see mention of how the council is in the evil developer's pockets, yet nobody every elaborates on it or gives any sort of proof when asked. The same thing is said about our current Mayor, yet upon reviewing his campaign contributors, one finds that the contributor happened to be from a catering company. There were several small donations from developer and real estate people, but no more than from other segments of the population and surely none large enough (even if added together) to garner influence. If you have don't agree with what the council does, why don't you get involved rather than spewing unfounded accusations. You might actually learn something. As mentioned above by Julie, many of these people selflessly give their time doing their best to help the city, often at the expense of spending time with their families.

Glad you asked @Shawn. Here is a PW reprint from @rick-native of Kathy Narum’s contributions to her political campaign, Apr 5, 2013. Have fun reading.
Wow,

I went to the city's website to look at the city council candidate's financial statements and was shocked at who Kathy Narum has taken money from. I couldn't believe the list of contractors, developers, land speculators/investors, land lawyers, consultans and others having a vested interest in doing business with the city of Pleasanton.

Now on to the Whos-Who list of people financing Narum:

James Tong - President, Charter Properties. Dublin high density housing developer. Narum took the money, is she planning to Dublinize Pleasanton?

Anthony Macchiano - Co-Owner, Pleasanton Garbage Service who own 7.5ac property that will be re-zoned by by East Side Specific Task force that Narum co-chairs. Does PGS expect Narum to give them the best re-zoning deal?

Robert Molinaro - Co-Owner, Pleasanton Garbage Service who own 7.5ac property that will be re-zoned by East Side Specific Task force that Narum co-chairs. PGS really wants Narum to win.

Patrick Costanzo - Kiewit Infrastructure Company Representative on East Side Specific Task Force which Narum is Co-chair. Kiewit owns 50 acres under consideration for re-zoning. Looks like Kiewit wants to keep the task force Chairman happy. Patrick is also associated with Regent Properties' Dublin development Phase II of Sorrento East at Dublin Ranch announced in February 2010. They will be building 581 homes in six communities.

Bridget Metz - Is a project manager for Legacy Partner Group. She works with Steve Dunn from Legacy Partner Group who represents Lionstone Group who owns 304 Acres under consideration for re-zoning. Steve Dunn also represents Legacy Partners Group on the East Side Specific Task Force which Narum is Co-chair. Legacy Partners owns 16 acres under consideration for re-zoning. Seems Legacy and Lionstone don't want to be left out in the cold when the task force gets around to rezoning and mega-increases their property values.

John Wyland - Is SVP BRE. We all know BRE. They are developing the high density housing project in the Hacienda Business Park of nearly 500 apartments and retail space on two parcels situated on the south side of the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station. Also, BRE Properties will construct 18 three- and four-story structures on an 8.4-acre site at the end of Willow Road and Owens Drive and an 8.1-acre site at the northern corner of Gibraltar and Hacienda drives. Narum is on the planning commission that approved this project.

Ronald Capilla - CEO Can Am Plumbing. Plumbing contractor specializing in residential projects encompass national, regional, and local builders and range from large 800+ home development projects to smaller, 10- to 15-home projects. Can Am needs more development to fuel its business. Narum is their pick.

Carlson, Barbee & Gibson - Civil engineering firm on Pleasanton projects: Kaiser Technology Center, Pleasanton Post Office, Pleasanton Ridge, Vineyard Corridor, Garms Ranch, Sycamore Lane PUD. All high density development needs civil engineering services and the civil engineers need their projects go smooth through planning staff, planning commission and city council. Are they securing their piece of the pie?

Wow why so much contractor money?

Ronald Cote - SVP Barry Swenson Builders. This company specializes in design-build projects; from commercial, industrial, high density residential, senior housing and historical restoration projects to hospitality and the build-out of intricate tenant improvements.

Dublin Active Investors, LP - Approximately 1,200 acres of the Doolan Canyon area is owned by a panopoly of longtime Tri-Valley real estate investors known as Dublin Active Investors, L.P. Another investor that wants to Dublinize Pleasanton.

Art Dunkley - Owner of Castlewood Properties. Founded in 1978, Castlewood Properties, Inc. is a private real estate investment company concentrating on domestic and foreign-based investment property acquisition, entitlement processing and management. Real estate investors love Narum too.

John Ferreri - Owner ACACIA Partners I. Real Estate investors. Another real estate investor.

Brad Hirst - Equity Enterprises. Property Developer Another property developer giving money to Narum.

Jerry Hodnefield - Owner of Hodnefield Properities. Commercial property management.

Oh my...my fingers are getting cramped from all this typing...I wonder if she has any average citizens sending her money?

Peter MacDonald - Property Attorney. Currently representing BRE. BRE is developing 500 high density apartments in Hacienda Business Park, with 15% subsidized low-income units. With Kathy's help, BRE's high density projects would in Hacienda would probably go smoother.

MacKay & Somps Civil Engineers/Planners/Surveyors Dublin High Density Experts - The Terraces, Dublin; Positano, Dublin; Sorrento, Dublin. A new Narum friend.

Pleasanton Gateway LLC - Developers at Bernal/Valley (new Safeway area) She was on planning commission that approved this development. Gave Narum money. Thanks for appoving our project!

Ponderosa Homes II - Developer of the Villages at Ironwood. A property adjacent the East Side Specific Plan currently under consideration maybe Narum can help.

Thomas Fehr, Jr. - Salesman Cornesh & Carey. Property management services.

Paul Sheehan - Broker, Cornesh & Carey. Property management services. C&C writes a second check.

Mark Sweeney - Broker, Cornesh & Carey. Property management services. C&C writes a third check.

Jim Peterson - VP, Cornesh & Carey. Property management services. The C&C VP ponys up 4th check...they must really want Narum.

Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar and Associates - Provide Civil Engineering/ Infrastructure and Urban Design and Land Planning. Narum takes money from another civil engineering company specializing in Urban Design.

Mike Serpa - Real Estate Developer / MAS Real Estate. Narum takes yet more developer money.

Varni, Fraser, Hartwell & Rodgers - Land use Lawyers. Experts in land use, condemnation, and governmental matters. If you are going to construct high density housing, you have to condemn someone's property. Narum likes their money too.

William Hezmalhalch Architects Inc. - Provide Architecture, Planning, Community Design, Urban Design, and Global Planning Design. I think Narum's friends are planning to screw us.

Charles Wiser - CenterPoint Properties, owned by CalPERS is focused on the development, acquisition and management of industrial property. A state owned development company funding Narum.

After looking at all the developers, consultants and contractors that want Narum on the city council, I don't.

Despite the fact that your list is carefully culled from all of Kathy's supporters to portray a certain point of view, even the individuals on her list include many, many Pleasanton RESIDENTS. Is your contention that if people live and work in Pleasanton, they should not donate to campaigns? How odd.

Of the myriad of residents on the list, many of them have involved in city commissions, task forces, etc. for many years - giving their time - as RESIDENTS to the city for its betterment. Hodnefeld, Sweeney, Hirst, Macchiato, Molinaro, Dunkley, MacDonald, Capilla. The list goes on and on. I might not necessarily agree with them, but I sure respect them for that.

What have you done, Bill, except complain and throw stones?

It's not my list. Like I said this was from a 2013 PW Town Forum. Back then the list could have been taken as a so what. But knowing what we know now, the list shows how much influence the EPSP developers and associated companies had in a Pleasanton political campaign.

BTW I have over 24 years of service to Pleasanton youth sports and AARP service organization for seniors and low income adults. All volunteer.

How many City Council Members does it take to ruin a nice town???

3 or 4..... Developers seem to have way more "Influence" over our current Sprawl Majority..

They ignore the Citizens MOST of the time! They just don't seem to care!

Follow the money! Narum, Pentin, Thorne and Olsen have taken a lot of money from ALL the developers looking to cash in on Pleasanton's sprawl misery....

They were all elected the last time they ran, PEOPLE, please pay attention this next election cycle in 2016.

There are 1,800 high density apartment units already approved to build. We don't need 1,300 market price homes now!

If they build out our last open space with no affordable housing we are screwed in 2022 when the new REHNA requirements come out.

Please keep your eyes and ears open...

@Barry look at all the new building being approved now, driven down W Los Positas lately.
We don't have to wait till 2022 we are already screwed

In the specific plan requirements, one task is to send out a notice of prepartion to parties affected by the plan. I like the response of the Pleasanton Gravel Company. They told the EPSP task force to "find another alternative". In effect telling Lionstone to go shove it up their you know what.
@Julie - I'll stop throwing bards as soon as the city council stops making bat crazy decisions.

If you saw the development presentation you would see that this is a responsible thought our development. My husband is a developer and he believes this is a great project for Pleasanton. No high density like what the Council approved for the opposite side of Stanley at Bernal or by Hart Middle school or at Owens across from BART!! This city will be built out one way or another so let's make the smart choices for or city. I have lived here for 30 years and East Pleasanton is GOOD SMART Development for our town. Do not follow our council and defeat this development. See the facts from the developers before you make an uninformed decision. VOTE YES on East Pleasanton.

My understanding is that it's the landowners presenting not develpoers. I asked at one of the meetings what are the chances the final product will be what they are presenting and they admitted there were no promises since they will not be the ones actually building and will be long gone by then.

Even if the current plan is approved all the units will not be built by next rhna high density requirements come around. And since they will be state required the city be will required to rezone again for high density. Which means regardless if they start building now or delay and build later there 'will' be high density out there. And since the city will be allocating the high density units equally across all of pleasanton it will likey be approximately the same number of high density units. Claiming that if we approve this plan now will avoid high density is probably not true.

@Bill - I wouldn't put too much credence into what the gravel company owner has been saying. He has a private interest in this, which I won't post on a public website, and is not necessarily out talking about holes in fences for the good of the community.

Whether you vote for or against, the land is going to be developed.