4C Public Hearing 2014 0721 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 15, 2014 Page 5 of 9 Commissioner Hernandez asked Mr. George for insights into any crime deterrents or traffic -calming measures that have been tried at Floresta Gardens. Mr. George said the complex has speed limit signs and speed bumps, which are consistently ignored. He reiterated that cameras are being considered for the mailbox area because there have been four recent mailbox break-ins. Neighborhood Watch also has been considered. Chair Abero asked whether any properties near Floresta Gardens are not gated. She lives in that area, she said, and as far as she’s observed, all non-commercial properties in the area are gated, their driveway setbacks are shorter than 51 feet, and she doesn’t recall any major traffic problems as a result. She also noted that Floresta Villas, the complex off Fremont Avenue behind Orchard Supply Hardware is gated. Planner Penaranda said that Washington Commons, east of Floresta Gardens, is not gated, but the only access is via Fremont Avenue; it doesn’t open to any other feeder streets. He also said the PD on Monogram Street, north on Fremont Avenue, is not gated. Ms. Williams said that the two private homes on Washington Avenue are also gated, but as Planner Penaranda pointed out, if a gate is set back 20 feet on a single-family property it isn’t subject to any discretionary review. In response to Chair Abero, Planner Penaranda also confirmed that Caliente Drive is a private street that leads from Washington Avenue to Caliente Circle and Fremont Avenue. Commissioner Hernandez asked whether Floresta Villa was gated prior to 2002. Planner Penaranda said he couldn’t recall the year, but it was included in the PD. Chair Abero opened the public hearing. Ousman Bah, Caliente Drive, said he’s lived in Floresta Gardens for about 10 years. He said what the HOA has proposed is a necessity, and asked Commissioners to put themselves in the residents’ shoes so they can go to bed knowing they did what was right. He said his car was broken into twice, despite being alarmed. His second car was stolen. Most of the Floresta Gardens residents could have chosen to live in Pleasanton, or Dublin or somewhere else, but they chose San Leandro because they love the community and want to stay here. Pamela Hall, Caliente Drive, has lived in Floresta Gardens for 13 years, raising four children there. She said it was very quiet when they moved in, traffic was minimal, and many of the neighbors were seniors. She said that her car also has been broken into quite frequently and recently; a lot of p eople walk through the complex, she said, going through the garbage cans. Traffic has increased to the point that what used to be a three-minute trip to Safeway now takes 20 minutes. It’s very important to take residents’ safety into consideration. She said it’s a close-knit community, and people check on one another. Ms. Hall said before moving into Floresta Gardens, she stayed at St. Moritz, and the gate setback was very short. At Floresta Gardens, she said, you turn your blinker on at K -Mart, drivers know you’re turning in, and you have room enough to pull over to the right while they pass on the left. She said there’s more space than ever to enter the gate safely. She also said she’s reluctant to do Neighborhood Watch, because she’s scared and the world has changed. Antonio Catubig, Caliente Drive, has owned his property for almost 14 years, and about 12 years ago he was Vice President of the HOA, when they wanted to install a gate but the effort did not materialize for financial reasons. He said he’s proud of the HOA Board for saving a lot of money to move ahead now. He said he supports the project for many reasons. He has two cars that have been broken into, one of them to the point that he had to donate it for scrap. His storage unit was vandalized, wit h the lock destroyed. His mailbox was vandalized recently, and thieves took mail with his personal information. About two years ago, he called 9-1-1 because someone set fire to a trash bin. As for cameras and Neighborhood Watch, Mr. Catubig said they wouldn’t deter or prevent scavengers, trespassers, solicitors and other from entering the property. He said his property was valued as high as $650,000 when the real estate market was hot; it fell to almost $250,000 after the market crashed. He said installatio n of the gate would raise property values for him, and when he sells, the more he gets the more the City would get. Suzanne Paulette, Caliente Drive, said she’s lives in the last unit, facing the circle, for 15 years. From there, she said she can see the K-Mart exit drive, Washington Commons and Floresta Villas. She said it’s a great place to live, and she favors the proposal to heighten security as well as improve property values.