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Guy Bjerke, Chief Operating Officer of the Home Builders Association, of <br />Northern California, P.O. Box 5160, San Ramon, said the specific effect of adopting a <br />moratorium is being conveyed to the outside world the fact that there is a very specific <br />problem with Pleasanton. He encouraged Council to consider how much time in staff <br />resources it wished to put into this versus moving the General Plan forward. A <br />moratorium is a time consuming process. If enacted, the initial moratorium is valid for <br />45 days. After notice and a public hearing, the ordinance may be extended for an <br />additional 10 months and 15 days. Thereafter, the ordinance may be extended for one <br />additional year. The Council may not adopt or extend any interim ordinance unless the <br />ordinance contains certain findings. Ten days prior to the expiration of such an <br />ordinance, a written report is to be issued describing the measures to be taken to alleviate <br />the condition that led to the adoption of the ordinance. He wondered if this was the best <br />use of staff time, or would staff be better off focusing on the completion of the General <br />Plan update, particularly the two proposed major projects that could affect the City. He <br />noted that the City of Pleasanton revised its housing element last year and it promised the <br />State that it would focus on, and by June of 2004 redesignate sites in this community to <br />meet the housing obligations that Pleasanton has under the regional housing needs. By <br />adopting a moratorium, does this send a message to the State that Pleasanton is moving <br />and keeping faith with that agieement? He noted that the City has documents that it has <br />produced that counter the arguments that traffic is a current threat to the public health, <br />safety and welfare. The Home Builders Association does not believe that Council can <br />makes the findings that justify a moratorium. He urged Council to focus on completing <br />the General Plan update. <br /> <br /> Paul Mooney, 2434 Minivet Court, supported the adoption of a moratorium. <br />Because of the severity of the traffic problems, he would like to have a more integrated <br />plan before any further development is considered in Pleasanton. He did not see how <br />there would be a negative business affect by imposing a temporary moratorium. He <br />believed a moratorium sends a message that Pleasanton wants to put the General Plan <br />first and base development on the General Plan. Given the collision of various issues that <br />are currently occurring, land use approvals need to walt. <br /> <br /> Karla Brown, 1326 Benedict Court, did not believe the economy would slow <br />down because of fewer homes in Pleasanton. She believed it would enrich this <br />community. She pointed out that Applied Bio Systems moved to Pleasanton because this <br />town was a slow growth community. She reminded Council that it had already approved <br />850 homes, and she asked how this would affect the overall traffic in the community. <br />She encouraged Council to prntect this community and the residents of this community <br />by adopting a moratorium until the General Plan is finally approved. <br /> <br /> Kevin Close, 871 Sycamore Road, opposed the proposed study of a moratorium, <br />as he believed the General Plan would address many of the current issues and provide a <br />growth cap. If a moratorium is proposed by Council and it causes any problems with the <br />development in south Pleasanton that may defer the bypass road, it will create a health, <br />safety and welfare issue on the streets in the Happy Valley area, which are not equipped <br />to handle the traffic issues. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 23 05/18/04 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />