It sounds like Mr. Haddad followed all regulations. Cheers to him. I had an empty lot next to my house growing up. I used it as my personal park. Then one day, somebody put a house there. I was about 11 years old, but it made sense. The Monzas don't appear to have reached age 11 yet.

Sounds like sour grapes on the part of the neighbors who have been there. If you want to protect your view/privacy/whatever then buy the property next to you. Otherwise, why are you so special that someone should be prevented from building just because you thought you owned that view?

Mount Diable is, what, about 25 miles away and less than 4,000 feet in height? How good of a view of Mount Diablo can one get from Pleasanton? In my over 25 years here I've never noticed a view of Mount Diablo from Pleasanton, although I've never looked for it, either. Maybe the Monzos are more upset by the fact that their view of the sky will be reduced by the new house rather than any view of Mount Diablo in particular. Have to agree with the other commenters that they didn't own that view and should just be thankful that they had it for as long as they did.

When we first moved into my home, we had a view of Mount Diablo. We were on the north edge of Pleasanton flatlands. But, alas, they built more houses and destroyed our view. Then they built more houses and in 1977 we had water restrictions. Drought you know. It does that here.

One word, "assumed". Sorry your view is gone, should have purchased the adjoining lot.

Agree with everybody, they should have bought that lot, it's tough out there when you think you live a privileged life and somebody comes along and "raps" you on the knuckles!!! Finally a correct call by the planning commission, they've been way over due. I remember when I bought my first new home in the flatlands here, life was good, nobody around me for about 3 months, then the builders started the next phase and I was completely surrounded by more new homes would have been nice to keep those lots empty around me, then again p-town would have been built out at maybe 100 homes if we were all allowed to keep that free space around us

On the other hand, the reasons given for not building the new home further back on the plot "too much additional grading and disturbance to the natural topography" are rather vague. It seems to me that building a house at all create considerable 'disturbance to the natural topography! Would building the new home slightly further back on the plot really have much that much difference? I know nothing about the case other than what I've read here, but I think it possible that the really problematic disturbance would have been to the owner, or builder's, bank account. :-)

Monos knew there was going to be a house there! Be grateful for the time you had with an empty lot. Grow up and move on! It sounded like the only solution would have been no building at all. What a waste of Council time!

I agree with what everyone is saying. Monzo is unhappy that ANY house is being built there. If you want an empty lot next to you, buy it yourself. Haddad did everything right. I'm just sad that he's had to fight this ridiculous battle for 2 1/2 years and waste all this time and money.

When I watched the council meeting I heard mention that a small portion of the Monzo's view will be lost, but the other say 95% of his view of the Pleasanton/Dublin Valley will be retained. There seems to be more concern over the 5% than the other 95% views that are still amazing as they look down on all of us commoners.

Oh boo hoo.

Hmmm....from your title...is Mt. Diablo going somewhere?