Fact Check

The Oak Grove proponents made a pledge early on to tell the truth about what was and what was not possible at Oak Grove. Our pledge continues today. Our research shows that when Pleasanton residents have the facts, they conclude that the City Council made a sound decision in approving the reduced development plan for Oak Grove because of the many, many benefits it brings for the whole. Our supporters in the community believe that this Oak Grove plan is the best alternative for the environment and for future generations.

There are opponents to Oak Grove. Many of them live next door to the property and they have raised objections specific to how the project affects them. In response, the City Council adopted a reduced lot alternative of the proposed project, required the relocation of lots and imposed single-story and other limitations to protect the views of nearby critics. Still not satisfied, some have made unfounded claims against the project. This page is intended to address those false statements. If you have additional concerns, feel free to contact us.

False Claim #1:
Oak Grove allows megamansions looming on the ridgelines much like the homes in the Oakland Hills.

Fact Check #1:
Homes like those that perch on the ridgelines in the Oakland Hills could NEVER be built at Oak Grove because:

• Custom lots are tucked into the topography and prescribed building envelopes work to minimize visual impacts.
• Conditions imposed by the City require that homes on any lot that could possibly be seen by nearby neighbors (even lots that might allow for a partial or filtered view) will be reviewed by the planning director for a determination as to whether it should be restricted to a single story no more than 25 feet high.
• Oak Grove Design Guidelines would prohibit such a home. Specifically, the design guidelines prohibit bright and light colors on the facades, require that roof lines are articulated, require that houses step back to follow the hill form, and prohibit long horizontal lines and massive retaining walls.
• Mandatory tree plantings at Oak Grove require more than 10 trees per lot be planted in locations that further ensure the privacy of existing residents and protect their views
• Before any home is approved for construction at Oak Grove, the applicant must provide to the city a visual study including computer simulations and detailed architectural drawings. The city must give notice of the application to adjacent properties and the Planning Commission to provide an opportunity for additional input. Pleasanton would never allow a home that looms on top of a ridgeline.

False Claim #2:
The City's Planning staff report and the EIR consultant estimated that nearly a thousand trees could be impacted.

Fact Check #2:
The Oak Grove plan will mean more oak trees than are there now. There are 12,000 oak trees at Oak Grove today. All but 58 trees will be preserved and these will be replaced by 410 new trees in the open space area. A few additional trees could be affected on individual custom lots, but these small losses would be mitigated by the planting of an additional 600 new oak trees on the 51 custom lots. In truth, Oak Grove is not removing 20 times more trees than disclosed, but instead is planting 20 times more trees than might be removed.