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Commissioner Blank staled that this is a tough issue and that while he agrees with <br /> some of the things Commissioner Pearce stated, he does not have the same passion or <br /> commitment that she has. He noted that the challenge is that the home is an older <br /> home, and because a house is old does not, in and of itself, merit its preservation. He <br /> stated he has driven by and walked the property several times and does not have the <br /> impression that preserving ':he property at all costs would be of value to the <br /> neighborhood. He added that he is not sure how much it will cost to restore the house <br /> and whether or not it is economically feasible. He noted that if preserving the house <br /> makes this project uneconomical in terms of density, then the Commission might be <br /> having a completely different discussion. <br /> Commissioner Blank statec that when the Commission first heard this project, he was in <br /> agreement with allowing the house to be demolished, and he did not find anything in the <br /> consultant's report that changed his mind. He agreed that the house has integrity; <br /> however, the structural portion of the house is not in question. He indicated that the <br /> guidance he has operated under is whether or not the house falls under historical <br /> preservation, and the report does not support this. <br /> Commissioner Blank statec that he thinks this project indicates that Pleasanton does <br /> not need a Historical Preservation Ordinance but an ordinance to preserve older homes <br /> and determine the definition of what constitutes this; for example, any home over <br /> 50 years or 100 years, and categories of preservation without the word. "historic." <br /> Commissioner O'Connor agreed with Commissioner Blank that older homes should be <br /> preserved. He stated that he fears if the Commission limits itself to these criteria, there <br /> would be many houses in town that will fail to meet the criteria, even within the DTSP. <br /> He added that he thinks it is unfortunate that the wording is the way it is, as many of the <br /> older homes that he would like to save would not be saved. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor stated that it is unfortunate that the City has given developers <br /> and property owners the idea that if they follow this process they should expect a <br /> certain response from the City. He indicated that there are developers and owners <br /> spending a lot of money to get direction, and to have the Commission or Council refute <br /> this and say they would like to save the older home anyway is not right. He noted that <br /> he is torn because while he thinks this home would be nice to save, he does not think <br /> that proper direction has been given to developers anc builders. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor staled that he does not think the Commission has been given <br /> a choice based on how the City's documents are written. He noted that while he is not <br /> happy about it, he supports the demolition of the house. He acknowledged that each <br /> Commissioner has the individual right to not support it and that it would be nice if the <br /> developer saved the house. <br /> EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 9, 2011 Page 9 of 18 <br />