What’s the Big Deal About Oak Grove?
Pleasanton’s Oak Grove is an estate home project that’s been approved for 51 custom lots spread over 66 acres with 496 acres dedicated as Pleasanton parks and trails. Oak Grove, which is arguably the most controversial project in Pleasanton, is owned by the Lin family who also own/owned most of east Dublin. In addition to the nearly 500 acres of open space, the Lin family have also offered to give $4M in school and traffic impact fees and pay for 20 affordable homes.
After 17 years of planning and 9 public hearings, the California Supreme Court recently decided that Pleasanton voters will have an opportunity to vote on whether or not to allow the Oak Grove project to move forward.
Oak Grove is located directly above Kottinger Ranch and Vintage Hills. Former Councilmember Kay Ayala has rallied many of the folks living in these communities to fight tooth and nail through the petition and court process to block Oak Grove under the guise of traffic and safety concerns related to the future 51 new homes. While traffic and safety are the official concerns for the project, this group may also have other motivations to block Oak Grove:
- 51 homes could easily turn into 98 homes (the current cap) or even 150 homes through smaller lots and/or less open space. This is highly likely given that the Lin family is willing to pay 10 times the standard impact fees and has spent so much in legal expenses to fight for Oak Grove. They’ve invested too much for Oak Grove to be a 51 home project.
- Oak Grove will likely become *the* most prestigious community in Pleasanton with huge estate lots, incredible views, and a small quantity of custom homes. Envy could be a factor for the folks fighting Oak Grove.
- Restricting the supply of new estate homes increases the value of existing estate/executive homes in Pleasanton.
- Kay Ayala could be using the Oak Grove resistance movement as a springboard for a future Pleasanton Mayoral bid. This is the same gambit that current Mayor Jennifer Hosterman used to launch her bid for the Pleasanton Mayor seat many years ago.
Pleasanton residents on both sides of the project are fighting for what they think is best for their community. It’s their high expectations and willingness to fight for what they believe in that have led to Pleasanton becoming the power hub of the Tri-Valley and arguably one of the most desirable communities in the Bay Area.
4:25 PM on October 22nd, 2009
Seems like they’re concerned about the hills, trees, and views, which I totally get. But 500 acres are being set aside to preserve that. Plus, there are major benefits to the city in developing such an upscale neighborhood. These people have money to spend in local stores, donate to local charities, contribute to local schools, etc. Overall, to me, it seems like a win for Pleasanton.
5:18 PM on October 22nd, 2009
Anyway, this is Pleasanton’s business. If it were for me, I would strongly support the project. It is a WIN-WIN.
5:19 PM on October 22nd, 2009
The traffic argument is soooo overused. Every single development project gets that argument. More absurd are the opponents to Staples Ranch which is squeezed between the humongous ugly quarry and 580.
10:13 PM on October 23rd, 2009
I’m new to Dublin. Just who are the Lin family and what is their history here. How much land did/do they own. When did they buy it and how much money have they made? Just curious as l’ve heard their name on this blog before.
10:19 PM on October 23rd, 2009
I’m new to Dublin and l’m just curious as l’ve heard their name on this blog before. Who are the Lin family and what is their history here. How much land did/do they own. When did they buy it and how much money have they made?
9:06 PM on October 24th, 2009
Hi Anonymous – I believe that the Lin family started to acquire land in the Pleasanton area during the 1980s. The part of Dublin now considered Dublin Ranch was at one time considered part of Pleasanton. I’m not sure how much land they owned before development. However, they had the vision to purchase land when it was designated agricultural and then had most of it re-designated for commercial and residential purposes.
Thx, John Z.
9:50 PM on October 24th, 2009
How does this compare to Dublin Ranch? We have over 1,000 homes east of Tassajara and north of Gleason, and nobody complained about traffic until the controversial topic of the MCC came up. How can 150 homes pose a traffic problem with so much space?
12:44 PM on November 10th, 2009
If I lived in Pleasanton, I would fight this like crazy.
Just like Discovery homes, I bet ya the Lin family will make empty promises (school, parks, $, etc), grade the land, and call the “grading fill” open-space.
Yes only 51 homes for now and will grow into 98 homes and yet more illegal grading and pay a fine.
When does it end? Just give it time and Dublin/Pleasanton will look a lot like Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel. All of the hills will be covered in houses, roads clogged, and more dependence on oil. All for the love of money.
Just my 2 cents..
5:51 PM on March 15th, 2010
John, do you think with this ruling this will change the Pleasanton councils mind on Oakgrove and therefore help charter?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/15/BABR1CG685.DTL&tsp=1
6:33 PM on March 15th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – that’s a great question. I think that this decision will ultimately help many developers in Pleasanton that have heretofore been restrained by the housing cap. Pleasanton will most likely appeal the decision. However, assuming that Judge Roesch’s decision is upheld by the upper court(s), Pleasanton will look much different in 10-15 years than it does today. As the article notes, Pleasanton will need to build an extra 3,000 affordable housing units. This means lots and lots of condos stacked up most likely near I-580, inside the Hacienda business park, and any other areas that Pleasanton can find along the periphery areas of town.
A related issue is the impact on Dublin’s housing stock. Dublin has been building most of Pleasanton’s affordable housing for the past decade. If Pleasanton now needs to provide zoning and remove the barriers to allow for the construction of 3,000 affordable housing units, what will happen to the demand for Dublin’s condo/townhome projects near the BART stations, Wallis Ranch, Grafton Plaza, and Fallon Village? The decision to lift Pleasanton’s housing cap and start the construction boom of BMRs in Pleasanton could ultimately provide developers with the market-based incentive to build more single family residences in Dublin since there will be reduced demand for condos/townhomes.
Thx, John Z.
11:55 PM on May 24th, 2010
Which way is this going? I hope it is turned down.
7:00 AM on May 25th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – I haven’t seen any preliminary poll figures for Pleasanton’s Measure D. However, we’ll know soon enough once the ballots are in for the June 8th election.
Thx, John Z.