Eastwood...after all, this was only the beginning of planned progress! Those days of open promises are gone and we must pick and choose our moves more carefully. Pleasanton is a set of dominoes and one wrong application of pressure will forever change our projectory. As community leaders, you have a heavy burden where many lives and livelihoods are at stake; Pleasanton is OUR HOME. Instead of enhancing and benefitting our existing neighborhoods, this development is dividing us, physically and emotionally. This developer is NOT building Homes, but boxes and disguised holding tanks...should be applying for business zoning! Is this the kind of “housing” we want to see as we travel along Foothill and view the ridgelands, struggling to maintain the quality of Life in Pleasanton? We are paying a terrible price in relinquishing a vital legacy habitat that cannot be replaced or duplicated. Losing this buffer would be similar to cutting the heart out of a body. All of us that border the property are bonded with the peace and balance that open space evokes and this development offers utterly no compromise or compensation for what we loose...actually feels like some sort of retribution or punishment for caring. Why can’t we work as a community to find the most suitable compromise? Isn’t there a developer with some heart and soul that can help us grow, but maintain a healthy balance between homes for humans & wildlife. The Commission would be breaking its promise “to preserve and improve existing housing ” if they accept this very flawed submittal; throwing Westside away to the highest bidder. Have we all lost our moral compass as custodians of this one-in-a million landscape? As an ecologist to my bones, I am a life-long member of Zero Population Growth/Population Control (two children only and rightly), Nature Conservancy, GreenPeace, Sierra Club, Save Mt. Diablo, John Muir Land Trust...but I’m a failure if I can’t save my own backyard. South Muirwood residents have 60 years of emotional ties with the property that will not heal if severed.
Don’t even mention the Armageddon of construction, of dust, of dirt, of noise for years as each age-qualified participate selects their box. We would be sacrificing paradise for someone else’s artificial facade of comfort and security. If we survive that, then there’s the aftermath of more traffic, more overcrowding, more pedestrians, more accidents, more roadkill, more noise. This development would change the character of the Westside forever, kissing goodbye to the calming rural ambiance it has always offered to the people who live here. It will set the precedence for turning Foothill Road into Foothill freeway, destroying precious habitat along the drainage alley where frogs croaked in the spring and where cows huddled in the hills under trees in summer, tipping the scale toward overcrowding further, slowly eroding the ridge with visible building to look like Fremont. I pray that the Council realizes that by guaranteeing the beauty, diversity, and fullness of our natural areas, they continue to enrich and sustain us all! And we don’t have to change the name of our City from Pleasanton to Unpleasanton.
From: Eric Otis Nostrand
To: Eric Luchini
Subject: Merritt property
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 12:17:47 PM
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
To: Pleasanton Planning Commission
From: E. Otis Nostrand
Re:
Support for the Merritt property development
I’m writing in support of the proposed Senior development at the Merritt property on Foothill Rd.
As a longtime Pleasanton resident with aging parents, I can attest to the need for senior housing in the area, including affordable units.
The project is well thought out with very desirable amenities. The improvements along Foothill Road are fantastic. Connecting the Marilyn Kane trail through to Muirwood will be great not only for the community, but also for senior residents to allow them easy access to exercise.
Finally, it should be noted that the substantial project development fees will be more important than ever considering the fiscal challenges that Pleasanton currently faces.
Please support this project!
Sincerely,
Otis Nostrand
Vista Diablo Ct.
Pleasanton
From: Tanya Perez
To: Eric Luchini
Subject: Merritt Property
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 4:33:52 PM
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
Understanding the planning commission is holding a public hearing tonight regarding the development of the Merritt property. Unfortunately I am unable to attend, however would like to have my voice heard with regards to the potential development plans. 111 homes is an exorbitant amount of homes to build off of Foothill Road which is already congested with traffic with the nearby schools & has continuous safety problems. Pleasanton is a city where people have chosen to live because of the open space & small, hometown feel.
The same reason we chose to buy on the west side of Pleasanton 20+ years ago & have continued to stay.
Housing developments have already been built off of Foothill and with the continuous development, there will be no more open space & will be overcrowded. Our quality of life, the wild life that inhabits this area & our open space are in jeopardy with this development.
The City talks about preserving Pleasanton’s quality of life & open space but continues to approve plans that jeopardize it.
Stop the development of this property & consider the residents that continue to live & support Pleasanton.
Thank you in advance,
Tanya Perez
From:
To: Eric Luchini
Cc: "Jim Summers";
Subject: RE: Concerns over Merritt Property Development - Support for the Project Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024 12:03:16 PM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
Good Morning Eric,
I am following up regarding our meeting with Jim Summers and Pat C on Tue, June 25. (Jim is copied.) Also, I did watch last night’s meeting online.
First, I want to thank you for getting us in contact with Jim, and I want to thank Jim and Pat for meeting with us, along with 3 neighbors. We appreciated the detailed explanation of the project and improvements in addition to the commitment to address our concerns.
We are in support of the project as it stands, especially in light of the Foothill Rd safety improvements AND the commitment to keep Eastwood and other EVA streets closed to thru traffic. We are also thankful that the developer is addressing the flood hazards in the area. I am trusting that the commitment to keep EVAs closed remains in the plan, even though the topic of opening Eastwood was raised last night. That may seem like a good idea from someone who will not be affected by that change. We DO NOT support any changes to EVA openings.
Our other concerns were also addressed and include:
Commitment to build a “good neighbor” fence for the 2 homes that abut the upper Merrit property at the Northwest end (Maloney and Tarnow), even though this is not part of the actual development.
Commitment to help with rodent abatement should the problem become worse during the prep and building phases when rodents will be displaced.
Commitment to help with cleaning during the prep and building phases, in particular for our solar panels which will very likely be impacted by dust.
After last night’s meeting, I also wish to express my support for a light at the new property entrance, and I hope the committee will consider this. The comments regarding safety, a possible need for a light, and not wanting to look back after an accident, only to wish something had been done beforehand, lead me to believe this warrants serious consideration.
I also believe this could help with the speed at which cars zoom down Foothill from the Merrit residence to Muirwood and then on to the high school. I wonder if speed may increase because of the improvements to Foothill. Much appreciated and needed as the improvements
are, this could be an unintended consequence. At the very least, a flashing yellow in both directions could help with safety.
Finally, I have one additional point that I hope can be considered. With talk about the water usage and future water restrictions (which we all know could happen at any time given the climate uncertainties), could a water reclamation system be used for water to the park, yards and common areas in the new development? That seems like an environmentally conscious approach and could be a selling point for new buyers. Admittedly, I do not know if this is possible or what it would entail, and only bring this up as a possible solution to future water restrictions. Please let me know if this is even possible. (We ourselves are planning to look into water reclamation for our own property, as part of a future yard upgrade.) Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sandra Maloney (for Dave and Sandy)
From: Eric Luchini <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 2:12 PM
To:
Cc: Jim Summers
Subject: Re: Concerns over Merritt Property Development Hi there,
I am CCing Jim Summers from the development team and will let him reach out to you directly.
Thanks,
Eric Luchini
Senior Planner
City of Pleasanton
925-931-5612
[email protected]
From:
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 9:36:42 AM
To: Eric Luchini <[email protected]>
Cc:
Subject: RE: Concerns over Merritt Property Development *** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
Hello Eric,
I’m following up regarding the developer for the Merritt property. I have not heard from the developer to discuss the concerns we have, and I understand there is another City meeting next week.
Should we have heard from them before this meeting? Just want to make sure I/we didn’t miss anything.
Thank you for your assistance.
Kind regards, Sandra Maloney
From: Eric Luchini <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 2:12 PM
To:
Subject: RE: Concerns over Merritt Property Development Hi Sandra,
The applicant has responded that they are open to fencing and perhaps some of your other requests. They would like to meet with you and your neighbors individually to discuss those items in more detail and will reach out within the next month to set something up. They will then report back to me.
Thanks,
Eric Luchini
Senior Planner, Community Development Department
925-931-5612
[email protected]
City of Pleasanton | P.O. Box 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566 From:
Sent: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 12:51 PM
To: Eric Luchini <[email protected]>
Cc:
Subject: Concerns over Merritt Property Development
Importance: High
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
Dear Mr. Luchini,
I am writing to express my concern over the Merritt Property development, in particular fencing for properties that abut OR are near the development, in addition to noise, dust and rodent displacement caused by the development.
My property is located at which is at the northwest end of the Merrit Property.
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the meeting tonight.
My husband and I met with the developers in approximately 2007, when the development was set to begin, and were promised new fencing in addition to cleaning outside and inside of homes/windows due to dust, as well as rodent control measures.
I am writing to request this original agreement be honored as part of the condition for development, for properties including (Tarnow residence) and (Maloney residence), as well as the other property just south of mine, which is on the next court over.
My requests include:
6-ft fencing with lattice to match the fencing for the rest of the development.
Monthly window cleaning, both inside and outside, for dust caused from the development.
Monthly interior and exterior cleaning for dust, to include main house, any ADU unit, and outdoor kitchen areas.
At minimum, quarterly cleaning of solar panels, as solar energy production will be impacted by dust.
Rodent and pest abatement/control during the entirety of the development.
Thank you for your consideration.
Please let me know if these requests can be included as conditions for the development.
Kind regards,
Sandra Maloney (for David and Sandra Maloney)
From: Linda
To: Eric Luchini
Subject: Merritt Property Age Qualified Community
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 2:36:24 PM
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
June 25, 2024
Pleasanton Planning Commission Members
c/o Eric Luchini, [email protected]
Senior Planner
RE: Merritt Property Age Qualified Community
Dear City Planning Commission,
I am writing in support of the proposed project on the Merritt Property which is on your agenda Wednesday evening. I have lived in Pleasanton for 35 years. The improvements this project will make to Foothill Road are significant and a big benefit of the project. This stretch of Foothill Road is very dangerous and unsafe.
The age-qualified community concept is something that is very popular but without any such communities in the entire Tri-Valley. This will be a wonderful addition to Pleasanton. Additionally the 18 affordable for-sale senior homes is a big benefit to the seniors in our community that need assistance and want to stay in Pleasanton.
I feel the home designs are attractive and will be desired by many move-down buyers throughout the Tri-Valley. I see no negatives of approving this project, only positives. In fact, as a Senior, I would consider one of them for myself.
I hope you will support this project and make a positive recommendation to City Council.
Thank You,
Linda Hebert
Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
From: Eric Luchini
To: Estela Ramirez; Paul Eichenholtz
Cc: Ellen Clark; Melinda Denis; Kimberly Cilley
Subject: Fwd: OBJECTION to PUD-147, MERRITT PROJECT
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024 9:51:11 AM
Another one that came in late yesterday.
Eric Luchini
Senior Planner
City of Pleasanton
925-931-5612
[email protected]
From:
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 3:17:08 PM
To: Eric Luchini <[email protected]>
Subject: OBJECTION to PUD-147, MERRITT PROJECT
*** [EXTERNAL] This message comes from an external organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. ***
Hi, Eric.
I have lived in Pleasanton since 1973, making me a 51-year resident.
I find myself scratching my head, saying “REALLY???”
In 1999 a city approved Merritt Property PUD for 89 homes was overturned by a citizen’s Referendum.
In 2019 a 90 home PUD was rejected by the City Council. One of the most important concerns was adding additional traffic onto the “2 lanes-only” Foothill Rd that has already had more than it’s of fatal accidents.
Now, the Builders have proposed an PUD that increases the density by 22 residences.
How does this make sense?
I will be attending the meeting tonight, June Thompson
© Latitude Geographics Group Ltd.
2,578.8
THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
NAD_1983_2011_StatePlane_California_III_FIPS_0403_Ft_US 2,578.8 Feet
Notes
Notes
Legend
This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable.
0 1,289.41
1: 15,473
Map Print Title
Fire Station
School
Park
Parcels
4131 FOOTHILL ROAD (APN 941-0950-003-03) Attachment 10
© Latitude Geographics Group Ltd.
2,578.8
THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
NAD_1983_2011_StatePlane_California_III_FIPS_0403_Ft_US 2,578.8 Feet
Notes
Notes
Legend
This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable.
0 1,289.41
1: 15,473
Map Print Title
Fire Station
School
Park
Parcels
4141 FOOTHILL ROAD (APN 941-0950-003-01)