Seems a logical site for infill housing construction. It already sits between two other neighborhoods, and the wide open space next to the garbage transfer station (so, maybe not the most desireable site). All the handwringing about possible religious denominations purchasing the site seems out of proportion to the problem at hand, and invites the kind of contentious parochialism so often seen in these pages. But, without a commitment from a church of one kind or another, I don't see the big problem of developing the site as housing (housing, after all, brings in its own problems of congestion).

I see no problem leaving it zoned as public and institutional. That is what Ponderosa promised the community not too many years ago.

Or are you saying that if I want to sell my property and I can get a better valuation with a different zoning, the city should just rezone?

I see no compelling reason to rezone to increase their property value. Perhaps there is another non-profit that would like to purchase this at the price the church paid for it.

WE LIVE NEXT DOOR and dont want a 6 acre, big compound next to us. If you read the report, there is an approved plan that allows several 2 and 3 story buildings here. Anyome who thinks a church, ashram, mosque or some other big religious compound should be built here instead of 25 homes and keeping a daycare, just does not get it or does not care about our neighborhood, or does not think traffic is already bad on Valley Avenue. These big organizations have activities all day and everday.

And Councilwoman Brown wants governmental buildings here if this church sells its land according to a flier that was left at all of our homes. Does that mean the City of Pleasanton wants to buy the land now?

If the Ironwood residents support this new plan, then please respect our wishes

THANKS DAVID for your comment as we feel the same.

We are amazed when increasing traffic and other impacts are always considered undesirable, that some Pleasanton residents (who dont live in this neighborhood) and public officials now actually are saying that 80,000 square feet of church or some other religious group, or even a suggestion for new government buildings, which create more traffic, noise and water impacts should be at this property. We have not seen the flier but will ask our neighbors about it.

Anything with commute hours, Mon - Fri is not acceptable to anyone from Ruby Hill to Valley/Santa Rita light. Those impacted in that corridor are the only ones to be considered and weighed accordingly...or nothing on the East will ever be built again.

I hardly think it matters one way or the other as in terms of traffic we are way beyond the tipping point. I would like to have our city leadership have some serious discussion on a traffic plan. No bs but a real plan.

Looks like a great location for a school ! We are so overcrowded and need to examine locations for a new school site. Actually, we need to slow down the process due to serious drought and lack of water for development....

We Don't Need Any More Homes in Pleasanton
We are too crowded
We are in a drought

We should see if the land is fertile for agriculture use or build a park for the neighborhood. Building home or religious institution is ridiculous.

We don't need any more commuter route backups. It is unfortunate the 'politicians' of the past have blocked off and shut down all circulation routes possibilities. Some mistakenly did little special treatment favors for selfish neighbors. Sad we are now stuck in concrete. No more whimsical favors allowed. We are out of choices. Berkeley II has one route coming out of Ruby Hill and Vintage Hills to our what otherwise, could be a world-class job center. The number of 'light' stops at Busch intersection is the key to all points East 'working' or not. Valley is full. Out of options, unless we open some of those streets to ease the 'flow'. And this 'flow' requires zero water !!!
Let's put real traffic planning first this time. ..the patchwork method hasn't worked very well.

I am insulted that the Pleasanton Weekly would highlight any negative stories in which an international church would be unacceptable to the area. Here is the quote: "Muslims might have the money and the need to build on the site. The Muslim Community Center of the East Bay, which is serving a growing population, meets in office space in Hacienda. Another Islamic group gained city approval several years ago for a small mosque on Dublin Canyon Road.."

Get used to us. Pleasanton is not all snow white anymore and we are here to stay. Our churches are beautiful too. Thanks for making us all feel unwelcome.

Follow the money to Council Coffers, that will tell the tale. Did Ponderosa contribute to campaigns? Other Developers? Hmmmm.

25 Houses are better than any other big institution - whether governmental, educational or religious. And I don't really favor homes, either, as there is no water and already there is too much traffic in this corridor - with no plan for offering public transportation, a new parking lot at the BART station for the number of cars that need to use the place, etc, etc.

I love the idea of open space and a park; we could use more of those and it might help everyone be more civil.

I only hope all of the folks who have strong opinions on this proposed development were/are at the City Council meeting tonight voicing your opinions where they actually will have some impact.

At the end of the day, I am confident that the City of Pleasanton will vote and side with whichever project will generate the most tax revenue and other income for the city with little or no regard for the well being of the citizens, open space and community at large.

25 single family houses is a lot for that land. I walk by there frequently and think 15 would be a lot.

Recall the "Pumkin Patch".... Perhaps we can all get behind this as a great place to grow pumpkins and enjoy the changing seasons. Then we can sign the property..."coming in early October".

@Disappointed...what was said by the PW that insulted you? Correct me if i'm wrong but I read the statement a few times and i wasn't insulted in the least. I am a Muslim too. Please explain yourself.I hate insults.

So much for the "Separation of Church and State…"

@Not too much and Disappointed,

I also did not find the statements regarding Muslim usage offensive. Please help us understand your point. It seemed factual that Muslims have the money and the need and could make use of the site. Why is that a problem? Why the snow white comments? The PW did not say Muslims should not build. They are pointing out a viable group that could use the site and keep the site as a religious base.

Lord Cthulu will happily make his home there. Build a temple to Cthulu upon that land and summon The Great Old One from the darkness. Cthulu is great in his zoning, for the sacrificed die in an instant of terror before they can let out a cry and few dare to enter His sanctuary and thusly traffic is minimally impacted.

Does anyone know the outcome of the meeting? Will PW post a follow-up? Maybe it doesn't really matter, since the Council does what is in their best interest anyways.

I watched the TV coverage and wondered why people were discouraged by the Mayor from speaking their mind just because someone else said the same thing? What happened to freedom of speech? It's a 3 minute time frame compared to the length of time (30 minutes each) allowed to the staff and Ponderosa, who seemed to be working for the same end, to give their presentation. The only person on the Council who asked good questions was Karla Brown. She was the only "no" vote for the project so more houses for Pleasanton (why?) and fewer areas for churches, schools and open space. Bad decision for us good decision for the developers! Why did I pay these high prices for real estate when I could have stayed in Fremont?

Hey Sam, don't feel bad that you left Fremont. Won't be long and Pleasanton will have you feeling just like you ARE back in Fremont.

BUILD A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IN THE EAST SIDE WITH RECYCLED WATER AND A BIG PARKING LOT.

LETS PUT MORE BIG RELIGIOUS PLACES TO WORSHIP THERE TOO, ANOTHER SCHOOL SITE, AND AGRICULTURAL LAND WHERE WE CAN GROW PUMPKINS AND HAVE HAY RIDES.

WILL THE TAXPAYERS BUY THE LAND AND PAY TO BUILD IT? FAT CHANCE.