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Warren Darmsted said he is a part-owner of the studio and building, said before buying the building they confirmed with the Planning Department that their business fit within the business park. They believe the location is an excellent choice, said they do not start their busiest times until 3:30 or 4:30 p.m. and by that time, all delivery trucks are out of the area. He said the area is very quiet and all students are all school-aged and get out after 3PM. They have been good neighbors, have tried to get along with everyone, and he believes they’ve done a great deal to address concerns of any neighbors and feel they are a good fit in the area. Sally Torres-Gil said she was a professional dancer for 15 years and she opened up a dance studio in 1990 in the Quarry Lane Business Park on Serpentine Lane. She has been in the business park for 9 of the 12 years she has been in business and never had a problem with any children or business neighbors. She noted there is also a Pleasanton Playhouse, Mark Anderson Music Academy, the very large Quarry Lane School, a gymnastics studio, jazz and tap studio, a cheerleading school, and a jump house. She said the piano school is very professional and it was important for her 7 year old as a dancer to receive a high quality education in piano. She felt that 5 teachers, parents and cars for the business is not an impact for parking. Michael Sendler said one of the reasons they moved to the City was due to schools, said one of his daughters has attended music class for two years, one daughter has been attending jazz classes, said children never run around in the parking lot, to or from classes and felt it would be a gross mistake not to allow continuation of the piano studio and noted her agreement in limiting the 3 three teachers up until 3:00 p.m. Honglei Bu said as a parent studying music, it is just as important to public education, said the current studio location is needed, the teachers have impressive credentials, and they moved from San Jose to the City for its good education, and felt the Quarry Lane area is perfect and accessible for classes. She said the area is very quiet, cannot imagine how one could say the studio impacts nearby businesses and supported the studio’s continued operation. Brad Hirst said in 2005 he and two other local businessmen purchased the building and condominiumized it. He said the applicant is the type of person the Council should encourage and not discourage, as she came to the country 7 years ago, conquered language and cultural barriers, purchased a car, home, business and 5 pianos and is applying to expand because customers want her services and she has been successful. Over 90% of her customers live in Pleasanton and 95% live in the Tri-Valley. Initially, he was a little concerned about sound transfer and required her to put in acoustical sheetrock which she did. She is a delight to work with, many occupants support her and agree there have been times when children have played in the parking lot, but over the last few months, between 4:30-7:00 p.m. not one time has he seen children in the parking lot. At 4:30 the other day there were 5 cars in the parking lot; one on the appellant’s side and 4 on her side and at 5:30 there were 3 cars. He said he used to own the building at 1244 Quarry Lane where he kindly used to encourage people to park on their own property, and he agreed no one is always going to be completely happy with parking, but encouraged the Council to approve staff’s recommendations. Jenny Li agrees with comments made, felt the studio is needed, hoped the studio will be able to take more students and felt parking was not a problem. Chris Chong said he has two children attending the music studio, said it takes them 20 minutes from San Ramon to Pleasanton, his children’s lessons run consecutively on Sundays, and not once has he ever seen any commotion from children, safety issues or parking problems. He chose the school even though he had a choice of three other schools due to the high quality education and credentials of teachers. It also helped that the school principal is also a very good administrator and he added that the school contributes much to the rich social fabric of the City and is needed. City Council Minutes Page 12 of 20 April 21, 2009