To provide a precise guide for the physical development of the city in such a manner as to achieve progressively the arrangement of land uses depicted in the general plan adopted by the city council;

To foster a harmonious, convenient, workable relationship among land uses;

To promote the stability of existing land uses that conform with the general plan and to protect them from inharmonious influences and harmful intrusions;

To insure that public and private lands ultimately are used for the purposes which are most appropriate and most beneficial from the standpoint of the city as a whole;

To prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of the land with structures;

To promote a safe, effective traffic circulation system;

To foster the provision of adequate off-street parking and off-street truck-loading facilities;

To facilitate the appropriate location of community facilities and institutions;

To promote commercial and industrial activities in order to strengthen the city's tax base;

To protect and enhance real property values;

To safeguard and enhance the appearance of the city.

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be held to be minimum requirements. No provision of this title is intended to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing ordinance of the city, except as specifically repealed herein, provided that where this title imposes a greater restriction on the use of land or structures or the height or bulk of structures, or requires greater open spaces about structures, or greater areas or dimensions of sites, or greater restrictions on signs than is imposed or required by an existing ordinance, this title shall control.

This title is not intended to abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any deed restriction, covenant, easement, or other agreement between parties, provided that where this title imposes a greater restriction on the use of land or structures or the height or bulk of structures, or requires greater open spaces about structures or greater areas or dimensions of sites than is imposed or required by deed restriction, covenant, easement, or other agreement, this title shall control.

This title shall apply to all property owned by private persons, firms, corporations or organizations except public streets and alleys. It shall also apply to property owned by the city; or by any agencies of the city; or by any local agency required to comply with this title by state law. However, this title shall not apply to property owned by the United States of America or any of its agencies; by the state of California or any of its agencies or political subdivisions not required by state law to comply with this title; or by any city (other than the city of Pleasanton), county or rapid transit district. All exempted agencies are urged to submit their proposed projects to the permit and review procedures set forth in this title and to cooperate in meeting the goals and objectives of this code and the general plan.

This title shall apply to structures and signs extending into or above streets or alleys, to railroad rights-of-way, to electric and communications distribution and service wires where prescribed in the district regulations; provided, however, that the routes or proposed electric or gas transmission lines shall be submitted to the planning commission for approval prior to the acquisition of right-of-way thereof. Upon review of the utility company's application and the community development director's proposed conditions for route approval, the planning commission may set a public hearing for purposes of considering alternate routes, or modifying any conditions vital to the public interest, which in the opinion of the planning commission requires a public hearing.