Conflicting statements are confusing citizens. Which are fact and which are fiction?
1. The Planning Commission fully reviewed this project. FICTION.
The Planning Commission voted against the certification of the Environmental Impact Report. They did not discuss or modify the development plan. The City Council then overrode the Commission and certified the Environmental Impact Report and then immediately approved the development plan the developer submitted instead of sending the development plan back to the Planning Commission. This is extremely unusual for the Planning Commission to not vote on a housing development.
2. Only 58 trees will be removed if Oak Grove is approved. FICTION
It is not clear how many trees will be removed. The Planning Staff report says 950 trees are in the initial grading area. The EIR consultant stated 950 trees would be removed. What the developer doesn't state is that his tree count (58) doesn't include grading or building for a single house. It only includes building the infrastructure (road).
3. The ridgeline initiative would prevent property owners from dedicating land to the City in the future. FICTION
The initiative is very simple, it prohibits large developments on ridges or mass grading of steep slopes. To view the initiative, click here.
4. The initiative allows any developer less then 10 homes to do whatever they want with no city controls. FICTION
The initiative does not change any existing City planning processes, it only puts restrictions on developments larger than 10 homes that are on steep slopes or ridgelines.
5. Save Our Hills implied Senator Feinstein was opposed to Oak Grove. FICTION
The ad in the Pleasanton Weekly stated:
"Local officials should start using zoning laws to keep residents from living in fire-prone areas." CA Sen. Dianne Feinstein. We agree. The Oak Grove project and the rest of the southern Pleasanton hills are classified as high risk for wildland fires.
6. This petition could force the City to give back a park. FICTION
The land has not yet been given to the City, it is still owned by the developer. Furthermore, the land is not a park now; it is open space. Should this project be voted down by the voters of Pleasanton, it will remain as open space until the developer submits a plan that is acceptable to the City. If the a new plan was submitted, it would almost certainly have the property not being developed donated to the City. The developer doesn't want to pay taxes or maintain the property after the development has been approved.
7. This project is supported by former Mayor Tom Pico. FACT
Tom Pico now works for the developer as a lobbyist/consultant. He is
paid to market this development. While we respect the work that Tom Pico
did while he was a mayor, he now represents the developer, not the
citizens.
9000 sq ft home in the Oakland Hills. Is this what we want on our ridges?
This home is only 2 stories, imagine another story and 30% larger! The developer says this looks like an office building, but it is just a very large house on a ridge.
Learn the facts about the flyer
The glossy flyer sent Pleasanton residents shows the current hills, but what will happen to those hills and trees if Oak Grove is built? Click here
What can you do?
Volunteer
If you are interested in helping save Pleasanton's ridgelines, please email us.
Donate to Save the Hills
We need funds to promote the initiative to save Pleasanton's Hills. If you would like to donate, please send a check to:
Save Pleasanton Hills
4515 Gatetree Cr.
Pleasanton, CA 94566
or
Donate with PayPal
click here