From: Jocelyn Kwong
To: Pleasanton City Clerk
Subject: FW: Support for Barone"s Redevelopment Proposal Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 9:08:37 AM
From: Kelly French <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 8:42 AM
To: Jack Balch <[email protected]>, Craig Eicher <[email protected]>, Matt Gaidos <[email protected]>, Jeff Nibert <[email protected]>, Julie Testa <[email protected]> Subject: Support for Barone's Redevelopment Proposal
[EXTERNAL MESSAGE] Be cautious with attachments and links from unknown senders Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Happy New Year!
I am writing to express my strong support for the Barone's redevelopment project as proposed. The design demonstrates thoughtful planning, addressing the pressing need for additional housing while seamlessly incorporating charming retail spaces to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown. This proposal strikes a balance between modern development and preserving the special character of our community.
Thank you for considering my perspective when this agenda item is before you. I look forward to seeing this exciting vision come to life.
Best,
Kelly French
1747 Baywood Ct
District 2
Submitted On:
Jan 8, 2025, 12:19PM PST
City Council Regular Meeting -
Submit your written public
comment
City of Pleasanton
Full Name
First Name:
Melissa
Last Name:
Morgan
Email (this entry is disclosable
if included)
[email protected]
City Council Meeting Date
January 09, 2025
Meeting Type
Regular Meeting at 7 PM
Agenda Item Number
7 Comments
I am urging city council to reconsider the removal of all heritage trees, especially the healthy Valley Oak on the west side of the property line. The community of Pleasanton is rallying around this tree, with over 900 petition names asking for reconsideration (petition can be viewed here: https://www.change.org/p/save- pleasanton-s-heritage-trees?
utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&recruited_by_id=81ff4df8- ac18-4938-9eb9-06c4c9540240). All existing and new neighbors of the tree will GREATLY benefit from the tree as it stands today. We're asking the city to stand by its Climate Action Plan commitment to keep what they can of the existing tree canopy.
I am asking for a redesign of the proposed development to allow the Valley Oak to stay in existence. Thank you.
City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7 December 17, 2024
CITY OF PLEASANTON
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brown called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at the hour of 7:00 p.m. from the Council Chamber located at 200 Old Bernal Avenue.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Arkin, Balch, Nibert, Testa, Mayor Brown
Absent: None.
SPECIAL CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
MOTIO
N: It was m/s by Nibert/Arkin to approve the consent calendar as recommended including accepting the revision to item 3 as provided in supplemental materials correcting the Transportation Development Fee for "Other" Non-Residential Uses to a rate of $6,863 per vehicle trip. Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes:
Coun
cilmembers Arkin, Balch, Nibert, Testa*, Mayor Brown
Noes:
None
Absent:
None
Coun
cilmember Testa voted "no" on item 3.
1. Adopt a resolution declaring results of the General Municipal Election held November 5, 2024, for officers and ballot measure
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-076 reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024 declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law.
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 2288 amending Municipal Code Chapter 17.16 regarding Tree Preservation
Recomme
ndation: Adopt Ordinance No. 2288 amending Municipal Code Chapter
17.16 regarding Tree Preservation.
3. Adopt 1) a resolution approving and adopting the Nexus Studies prepared by Economic & Planning Systems, Inc., dated November 25, 2024, and by Raftelis, dated October 17, 2024, to update the City’s Development Impact Fees; and amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule to increase the City’s Capital Facilities Fee, Transportation Development Fee (also referred to as the Transportation
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
1/9/25 Item #1 - Revised
City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7 December 17, 2024
Development Fee), Commercial Linkage Fee, Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee, and Water and Wastewater Connection Fees; and 2) introduce an ordinance amending the Pleasanton Municipal Code, Chapter 3.22 – Capital Facilities Fee, Chapter
3.26 – Transportation Development Fee, and Chapter 14.04 – Regulation of Water System and Water Service Fee to align with the Nexus Studies and make other technical updates and corrections
Recommendation: Adopt 1) Resolution No. 2024-077 approving and adopting the Nexus Studies prepared by Economic & Planning Systems, Inc., dated November 25, 2024, and by Raftelis, dated October 17, 2024, to update the City’s Development Impact Fees; and amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule to increase the City’s Capital Facilities Fee, Transportation Development Fee (also referred to as the Transportation Development Fee), Commercial Linkage Fee, Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee, and Water and Wastewater Connection Fees; and 2) introduce Ordinance No. 2289 amending the Pleasanton Municipal Code, Chapter 3.22 – Capital Facilities Fee, Chapter 3.26 – Transportation Development Fee, and Chapter 14.04 – Regulation of Water System and Water Service Fee to align with the Nexus Studies and make other technical updates and corrections.
RECOGNITION AND REMARKS
• Councilmember Valerie Arkin
• Mayor Karla Brown
Donna Brown representing Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's office and Senator Steve Glazer's office provided remarks.
Ashley Strasburg representing Alameda County Supervisors David Haubert and Nate Miley provided remarks.
Karishma Khatri representing Assemblymember Liz Ortega's office provided remarks.
Mayor Brown opened public comment. The following individuals provided comment:
Nancy Krakauer, Paulette Goodrich, Vicki Hubbard, Jay Maille, Carol Brachua, Carol Cohen, Jay Galvin, Rita Galvin, Jackie Tarin-Rankl, Joanne Hall, Sandy Yamaoda, Matthew Gray, Fred Carter, Joan Nibert, TJ McGrath, Matthew Gray, Fred Carter, Joan Nibert, TJ McGrath, Ron Baskett, Laurene Green, Wendy Kimsey, Kelly Mokashi, Jan Coleman Knight, Andrew Turnbull, Brian Arkin, Ramesh Immadi.
Mayor Brown closed the public comment.
Members of the City Council provided remarks.
Councilmember Valerie Arkin provided remarks.
Mayor Karla Brown provided remarks.
Mayor Brown called a recess at 8:47 p.m.
Mayor Balch reconvened the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7 December 17, 2024
OATH OF OFFICE
Mayor-elect Jack Balch was sworn in by City Clerk Jocelyn Kwong.
Councilmember-elect Craig Eicher was sworn in by his son, Joseph Eicher.
Councilmember-elect Matthew B. Gaidos was sworn in by his dad, Arnie Gaidos.
REMARKS
Councilmember Craig Eicher provided remarks.
Councilmember Matt Gaidos provided remarks.
Mayor Jack Balch provided remarks.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Eicher, Gaidos, Nibert, Testa, Mayor Balch
Absent: None.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
Councilmember Testa continued item 15 and Mayor Balch continued item 13 to the next regular City Council meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Nibert removed item 4 from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
MOTION: It was m/s by Testa/Nibert to approve the consent calendar as recommended with the exception of item 4 and 5, and to include revisions to the resolution in item 8 replacing the two references to "Section D" to instead state "Section 4". Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Eicher, Gaidos, Nibert, Testa, Mayor Balch Noes: None
Absent: None
City Council
4. Item 4 was pulled from the Consent Calendar.
City Manager
5. Adopt a resolution setting the 2025 calendar year City Council meeting schedule Recomme
ndation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-078 setting the 2025 calendar year City Council meeting schedule with 20 regular meetings.
City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7 December 17, 2024
MOTION: It was m/s by Testa/Gaidos to approve the item with modifications to remove the meeting on July 1, 2025, and to include a meeting on January 9, 2025. Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Eicher, Gaidos, Nibert, Testa, Mayor Balch Noes: None
Absent: None
Community Development
6. Actions of the Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission Recommendation: Actions of the Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission.
7. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept award of the U.S.
Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding in the amount of $140,450 for the Climate Action Plan 2.0 Project and approve budget amendments to allocate the funds to CIP No. 24461 Recommendation: Adop
t Resolution No. 2024-079 authorizing the City Manager to accept award of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding in the amount of $140,450 for the Climate Action Plan 2.0 Project and approve budget amendments to allocate the funds to CIP No. 24461.
Finance
8. Adopt a resolution finding that certain development impact fees subject to AB 1600 and SB 1693 are unexpended after five years and the funds are committed to particular projects
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-080 finding that certain development impact fees subject to AB 1600 and SB 1693 are unexpended after five years and the funds are committed to particular projects.
Human Resources
9. Adopt a resolution approving compensation for temporary/seasonal employees and amending the temporary, part-time/seasonal classification salary structure Recommendation: Adop
t Resolution No. 2024-081 approving compensation for
temporary/seasonal employees and amending the temporary, part-time/seasonal classification salary structure (Attachment 3).
City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7 December 17, 2024
Library and Recreation
10. Accept the donation of the public artwork Hope and Promise mural and frame Recommendation: Accept the don
ation of the public artwork Hope and Promise
mural and frame.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
11. Public Comment regarding items not listed on the agenda Mayor Balch opened public comment. The following individuals provided comment: Bill Wheeler, John Bauer.
Mayor Balch closed the public comment.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS
12. Approve the FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 budget engagement plan Recommendation: Approve the FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 budget engagement plan consisting of a Budget Advisory Committee and a community engagement plan that includes one town hall, two pop-up events, and an online engagement tool.
Presentation by Alexa Jeffress, Deputy City Manager.
Mayor Balch opened public comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Balch closed the public comment.
MOTION: It was m/s by Testa/Nibert to approve the item as recommended.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: It was m/s by Balch/Gaidos to table the item until the January 9, 2025 meeting with direction to provide additional alternatives. Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Eicher, Gaidos, Mayor Balch
Noes: Councilmembers Nibert, Testa
Absent: None
City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7 December 17, 2024
13. Approve the establishment of a Budget Advisory Committee and appoint members Item continued.
14. Adopt a CIP Process and Prioritization Strategy
Recommendation:
1. Adopt the CIP Process and Prioritization (CIPPP) strategy
2. Approve a list of Annual Core Capital Improvement Program Projects
3. Approve excluding CIP prioritization strategies on the “Annual Core Capital Improvement Program Projects” and enterprise-funded Capital Improvement Program (water and sewer)
Mayor Balch opened public comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Balch closed the public comment.
MOTION: It was m/s by Gaidos/Eicher to approve the item as recommended. Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Eich er, Gaidos, Nibert, Testa, Mayor Balch Noes: None
Absent: None
15. A) Adopt a resolution approving an addendum to the Downtown Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report; introduce an ordinance to approve: (1) Planned Unit Development rezoning (P21-1173) of two parcels totaling approximately 2.3 acres in area from C-C (Central-Commercial) to PUD-MU (Planned Unit Development- Mixed-Use) District; and (2) A PUD-MU development plan (PUD-146) to: (a) retain the two-story single-family home and construct a two-story addition to the north side of the home; (b) demolish the detached accessory dwelling unit, Barone's restaurant, and all other structures and site modifications; and (c) construct 14 detached single-family homes and two commercial buildings with a public plaza and parking lot, new private street, and related site improvements; and B) Adopt a resolution to approve a Vesting Tentative Tract Map (Tract 8631) to subdivide the 2.3 acres into 15 single-family lots, one commercial lot, and three private common space parcels located at 475 and 493 St. John Street Item continued.
4. Ratify Mayor's appointment of a Vice Mayor and City Council assignments to various boards and commissions for calendar year 2025
Recommendation: Ratify the Mayor's appointment of Jeff Nibert as Vice Mayor and City City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7 December 17, 2024
Council's assignments to various boards and commissions for calendar year 2025.
MOTION: It was m/s by Balch/Eicher to approve the item as recommended. Motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Eicher, Gaidos, Mayor Balch
Noes: Councilmembers Nibert, Testa
Absent: None
MATTERS INITIATED BY COUNCIL
None.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmembers reported on regional and local meetings attended.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Balch adjourned the meeting at 12:40 a.m.
______________________
Jocelyn Kwong, City Clerk
From: Gerry Beaudin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 9:53 AM
Subject: FYI - If a Budget Advisory Committee is Established
Good morning, Mayor Balch and Councilmembers –
As you know, the Council will consider establishing a Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) at its upcoming January 9 meeting. The agenda report for this item outlines the purpose of the committee, which is to develop an understanding of the City’s budget and financial issues to provide input on community priorities and service delivery that will inform staff’s recommendation in preparing the two-year budget. The committee's proposed 11-member composition is intended to have broad community representation along with participation from each of the City’s employee labor groups.
For the three labor groups—representing the City’s police, fire, and employee associations—each group was asked to identify its representative. As the City’s management group is not represented, the selection was intended to have a representative who knew City’s budget process and could apply both an organization-wide, and community-wide, perspective. The identification of the two at-large community members was intended to select residents who have and currently use and value City services and who reflect our community, such that they might offer a broard community voice when addressing City issues.
As noted in the agenda report, the City Council representatives will be provided at the meeting. I am not asking that any of you share the names of your selection in advance; however, I’m sharing the names of the labor and at-large representatives that I will put forward if this happens:
• Pleasanton Police Officers' Association (PPOA) - Brian Jewell, President (Jason Hunter – alternate)
• International Association of Firefighters (IAFF Local 1974) or the Battalion Chief’s Unit - Kurtis Dickey (Jared Jamison – alternate)
• Pleasanton City Employees Association (PCEA/AFSCME) - Jon Engelbrektson, President ( + Alternate)
• Management/Confidential Employee Unit - Tamara Baptista, Assistant Director of Public Works
• At-large members selected by the City Manager:
o Weiwei Guo, 34-year resident, raised family in Pleasanton, retired tech industry manager, former President of Chinese American Cooperation Council
o Atif Qureshi, 7-year resident, 3 children in Pleasanton schools, Siemens- Stanford Health Care Program Manager, Muslin Community Center board member
Finally, the intent behind the City Manager putting forward two (at-large) names was to ensure there is adequate/balanced input and participation from the general public, is to let them engage without guidance or prompting from me/staff.
Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Have a great day,
Gerry Beaudin, ICMA-CM, AICP (He/Him)
City Manager
Office: 925-931-5002
[email protected]
City of Pleasanton | P .O. Box 520 | 123 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566
Submitted On:
Jan 9, 2025, 11:49AM PST
City Council Regular Meeting -
Submit your written public
comment
City of Pleasanton
Full Name
First Name:
Deanne
Last Name:
Ledebuhr
Email (this entry is disclosable
if included)
[email protected]
City Council Meeting Date
January 09, 2025
Meeting Type
Regular Meeting at 7 PM
Agenda Item Number
7 Comments
“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” - Cree Proverb
My name is Deanne. I’m a Researcher and Musician with deep roots in Pleasanton.
I’m part of a concerned group of Saint John’s Circle neighbors. I am devastated to hear of the plans to cut down the 34 trees, the familiar, lush trees I grew up with.
My mother owns the home on Saint John that I grew up in. I moved back to Pleasanton in 2019 when I had some health issues.
The guest parking spot beneath the majestic Valley Oak gave me for the first time, direct awareness that the beauty and energy of nature was tangibly therapeutic. I wish I could share exactly how this Valley Oak in particular made the connection that led to a deeply positive impact on me.
I’m not against people wanting homes in the Barone’s lot, but what makes Pleasanton special is the mature trees, birds, creeks. It is nature that makes Pleasanton a desirable place to live. I speak from experience as I have traveled widely (and dodged traffic) in many concrete jungles worldwide.
I have a degree from UCSB and studied architecture in Hong Kong. I wanted to see if “infill” building was really a good solution. What I discovered was horrifying.
I don’t believe humans are meant to be living packed together, separated from nature. Many studies have shown that trees impact communities in measurable ways.
My mother plans to have me inherit her home. I want my life & family to be connected to nature. We can put up with the trains because we have the beautiful Oaks. Without them, the
neighborhood will change to a dead, urban wasteland.
It feels incredibly violating to have a San Jose based development company make decisions that could lower our property values and quality of life. Especially since my mom worked so hard for her home and sacrificed so much.
Pleasanton has set goals as a city to be ecologically forward. So why would we let developers remove mature trees? Trees capture carbon, the same carbon that is causing climate change. The fires in LA in January have no historical precedence. Before this week, never in the history of Cal Fire record-keeping had one of the state's most destructive fires burned in January.
Previous to this year, the earliest wildfire on that list didn't occur until July.
The mentality is, that “these are just a few trees, they don’t matter”. They do matter. They contribute to the quality of life. While the state is mandating infill development, there has to be some consideration for the benefits of mature trees: beauty, privacy, home for birds, and many other well-documented benefits. We should not allow developers with only financial motivation to cut down our heritage trees, despite the “mandated” push for relentless infill development.
The redwoods provide a sonic buffer for residents from downtown traffic. High school students benefit from the emotionally calming presence of trees & wildlife. We are setting an example for our children and your choices will impact elderly residents who rarely leave home, such as citizens who have lost mobility or have disabilities that call Saint John’s Circle home.
I propose that the Barone’s housing plan be redesigned to remove only the Eucalyptus trees and to protect the Valley Oak, Redwoods, and Black Walnut. If the floor plans are shaped around them, then we are following our commitment to the environment which is true progress. Let’s show the world we are real innovators and not just cashing in on the tech boom.
The developer, Robson Homes, uses mature trees as a selling point for their homes in Campbell, California. While we have to watch our beloved trees be cut down?
Upload File(s)
Saint John View of Trees.pdf
Robson Homes knows the value of Oak Trees. They took care to move this Heritage Tree in Campbell, CA. They use “the wonderful setting created by these fabulous trees” as a selling point for their homes. The know and understand the value of trees.
Image taken from Instagram @robson_homes in Campbell, CA.
These two pictures show how the line of Redwoods and Valley Oak border Saint John Circle.
Trees on this property are also visible from the Arroyo Trail, Main Street, and Saint John’s Street. The property may be private, but the trees have an impact beyond the Zoning. Other lots in Pleasanton are available for infill buildings that do not have beloved Heritage Trees.
Photos taken by Deanne California in December 2024.