CCMIN082399 - Laserfiche WebLink

• Ms. Dennis wanted the community to understand the differences between the normal approval process and placing things directly before the voters. As an elected official she must uphold the law, not have a conflict of interest and be fair. The people who go to the polls vote according to their feelings which may be unfair. The Council did not put forward anything that resembled the Initiative. She strongly opposed the Initiative because of the liability. She believed the Initiative subverts the voter protected urban growth boundary and housing cap. She could not find any benefit in the Initiative. She did not understand the returning of land to an agriculture designation when no discussion of agriculture was done. The Initiative states the purpose is not to promote agriculture on the land,but to prevent the land from being developed. She felt this was an inappropriate use of a land designation. She can't find a legitimate government use listed in the Initiative because the outcome of the Initiative does not solve the problems. The Initiative is very complex and has unintended consequences. She strongly urged people to read the staff report and try to educate themselves. Mr. Pico supported the Initiative. He encouraged everyone to read the ballot arguments and impartial analysis. He said the Initiative may not be perfect, but he had faith that the community will do what is good for the City. He said the number of projects already approved is a threat to the community. The City can and will approve development that not only pays for itself, but also offers something of value to the community. He believed CAPP has encouraged developers to make certain offers in order to get development agreements. He supported the Happy Valley agreement and creating a development agreement for Vineyard Corridor, with the provision that they both be placed on a ballot to be ratified by the people. He encouraged the people to educate themselves on Measure D. He also said Measure D is not the final answer. He pledged to support the Vineyard Corridor Specific Plan and hoped it could be on the March ballot. Ms. Michelotti said the premise of the Initiative is that the public officials have done a lousy job in planning the community. She asked everyone to take a look around. The community is planned in the community's best interest. She said the Initiative should not be used to get something to happen. The Initiative has many ramifications that people have not considered. She said she has spent a lifetime involved in community service and the planning process. She has seen the community grow and develop through planned citizen input. She did not support the Initiative because it is allowing the community to amend the General Plan with one vote. She recapped the effort put into drafting and adopting the 1996 General Plan. She said the Initiative undoes the planning process. Under the Initiative a developer has the ability to go directly to the electorate. She believed the Planning Department does an excellent job. She could not support an Initiative that undoes all the work and effort of many people. The Initiative is more than just voting on projects. She said this Initiative is not good and will only destroy the community. Under the Initiative the City will not be able to meet the state mandated affordable housing requirements,the Vineyard Corridor Specific Plan may be lost and other ramificat ions will happen. Mayor Tarver thanked staff for the reports and indicated that he would make his comments during the election. Pleasanton City Council 22 08/23/99 Minutes