Barone’s Restaurant to be Replaced with Housing Project?

Plans have been submitted to demolish one of downtown’s most popular venues, Barone’s Restaurant, and replace it with up to ten single-family homes and seven attached dwellings, with almost no commercial or retail businesses. In short, this premium creekside parcel that has long been a venue for the enjoyment of all residents, could be restricted to just a handful of private homeowners in the near future. Please voice your opinion in an email to Pleasanton Planning Commission or by speaking during the Planning Commission’s public workshop on the current proposals, slated for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. All Pleasanton residents are invited to join this meeting on Zoom. To join the meeting and for more info, see Workshop Agenda and scroll down to Item 6 to see the City Staff Report.

The proposed project conflicts with citizen surveys and the downtown specific plan task force recommendations to preserve the charm of our historic downtown, and sustain its economic viability with new retail and restaurants. And the project’s proposed ingress/egress would impact downtown traffic just steps from one of the most perplexing intersections in town. A 2017 resident survey found that the majority of participants were opposed to more housing in the downtown area and instead, favored more public gathering spaces such as plazas. 

Outdoor public gathering spaces fulfill a basic human need to be around people. Instead of housing and an office building, this large parcel could instead be a place that generates the hospitality of our downtown, complete with spaces intentionally designed with shade, greenery, seating and more, surrounded by independent retailers and local eateries. 

Some examples in this light include Blacksmith Square in Livermore, The Creamery in San Luis Obispo, and Napa River Inn. Those developments all fit into the historic architecture of their respective downtown districts, and provide amenities such as dining and shopping options for residents and visitors. 

Not all cities are fortunate enough to have a historic downtown in which to meet, gather, and celebrate together. Dublin does not and has grappled for years with trying to establish a city center, as has San Ramon. We are one of the lucky cities that have a heartbeat in a historic downtown. Let’s think twice before we start replacing parts of it with more housing. 

Send your comments by Tuesday, March 23rd to: 

Pleasanton Planning Commission: 

sananthan@cityofpleasanton.gov

The City Council will make the final decision, so be sure to cc: your comments to: Pleasanton City Council:

citycouncil@cityofpleasantonca.gov