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such as a grocery store would be less that what Home Depot could bring in; they would also generate a lot more traffic. Mr. Bouchard further noted that the project would provide a true gateway to Pleasanton at this intersection. He added that its pedestrian-friendly character would provide a safe passage for school-age children coming from the Vineyard Avenue area on their way to the waterslides. John Corley, 699 Peters, representing the property owners, Mr. Frank Auf der Maur and Mr. Konrad Rickenbach, stated that they were responsible for creating the traffic problem in the area because they built Bernal Avenue from the Arroyo to Stanley Boulevard as well as the railroad undercrossing which created the intersection of Valley Avenue and Stanley Boulevard. He indicated that he would like the records to show that when they sold the property to the synagogue, they informed the synagogue representatives that the plan anticipated Nevada Court to circle through the property and end up in Utah Sheet to seine the commercial use plaimed for the property. He stated that the developers for Home Depot have worked closely with the synagogue and have agreed to have no access to Nevada Court; however, should this project not come through and they come back in the future with another developer for the site, the synagogue would not be upset if Nevada Court goes through because their representatives are aware the street was planned not as a driveway for the synagogue but to serve the other uses in the area. Robert Green, 3263 Vineyard Avenue #114, read his letter to the Commission indicating his opposition to the project. He stated that the traffic in the area has always been bad even before the gas station and the fastfood restaurants were built because people were using Stanley Boulevard as a cut-through street to go to Livermore and ")`racy. He added that the addition of Home Depot and other commercial uses would create greater problems and would cause traffic to back up on Santa Rita Road all the way to the freeway and from Hopyard Road to Valley Avenue. Kelly Farman, 174 Trenton Circle, indicated that she lived 1,000 feet fi•om the proposed Home Depot, which wotdd be a destination point. She noted that while she liked and shopped at Home Depot, she did not want to live next to one. She stated that this is not the right location for Home Depot as the area would not be able to withstand the traffic that would be generated by the store. She requested the Commission not to ruin her quality of life by approving the project and urged that a full-blown Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be required for a project of this magnitude. Bob Russman, 2459 Via de los Milagros, stated that he has lived in Pleasanton fort 3 years and is a member of Congregation Beth Emek. He thanked the Home Depot representatives for keeping the synagogue informed throughout the planning process and for working closely with them on various issues they had concerning the project. He indicated that their original concern of delivery n-ucks and customers accessing the shopping center directly from Nevada Cow-t, thereby causing safety issues for their school children, was resolved when Home Depot moved the proposed entrance from Nevada Court to Bernal Avenue. He added that Home Depot likewise agreed to landscape the area along Nevada Court to mitigate noise and view impacts that may interfere with the synagogue's sanctuary activities. With respect to traffic patterns around their building, Mr. Russman noted that it would be hazardous to turn onto Nevada Court from Bernal Avenue or to drive across Bernal Avenue from Nevada Street to Nevada Court. He added that it would be dangerous to wall: across the intersection and suggested EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, May 24, 2006 Page 6 of 1 1