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DRAFT Rhonda Sorochak stated that she chose to move Downtown on St. John Circle in December. She added that she thought the train would have been a concern in terms of noise but that it is not. She indicated that she loves music and supports Barone's proposal. She noted that several venues Downtown have live music; the Pleasanton Hotel plays music on the opposite side of the fence and questioned whether it was fair for other venues to be able to play music. She suggested supporting the Downtown, given the economic conditions, and believes that getting people out, spending money, and employing people will help. She indicated that she has children in three schools in town and noted that the Barones support the school financially and with their time, as well. Sue Wilson said she and her husband moved to the Downtown over two years ago; they live in the St. John neighborhood and they hear the Fairground noise, dogs, the high school, trains, and they like to go to bed early during the week. She finds it hard to hear people complaining about the downtown noise when they chose to live in the downtown. She formed their own P -Town Citizens Group at Yahoo to help with the vitality of the downtown and said their group supports the Barone's. The Barone's provide an amazing professional setting, she hoped for a compromise and supported approval. Frank Berlogar voiced support of the application and stated that Downtown is for all of Pleasanton. He urged the Commission to approve the project. Jan Batcheller stated that her first business was the Photo Plant in 1975. She added that she lives in the Downtown and supports the Barone's, who have the best restaurant in the Downtown. She indicated that noises Downtown is to be expected and asked everybody to support the Downtown Association. She then urged the Commission to adopt staff's recommendation. Sharrell Michelotti stated her support for the Barones and their wonderful restaurant. She echoed the comments from supporters and said that Pleasanton has come a long way. She noted that the Downtown has been renovated and that the Barones have been a big contributor. She indicated that she has been active in the community and over the years has promoted a pedestrian friendly atmosphere, which has been created. She stated that she felt the Downtown is a draw and needs to be kept vibrant. She expressed her support for staff's recommendations. Melanie Sadek stated that she owns Murphy's Paw on Main Street and lives in town. She agreed the Barones were wonderful people and as a business owner in the Downtown, all she has heard about is Livermore and that Pleasanton has nothing going on in the evening. She indicated that merchants worked together with the Downtown Association to do Wednesday Night Live, and this was the reason they requested the temporary use permit to allow live music until 9:00 p.m. She stated that she has heard from many businesses that the live music on Wednesday nights has helped businesses, and she felt it was an amazing draw. She noted that said they lose many people to Livermore after 9:00 p.m., which has restaurants that can serve alcohol until 2:00 a.m. DRAFT EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 8/12/2009 Page 9 of 17