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Blaise Lofland stated that he has been in business since 1986 and supported Barone’s request to extend hours for entertainment. He cited the importance of having an opportunity for entertainment and added that it would be great to make everybody happy 100 percent of the time, but that compromises can be made to work. Mr. Lofland stated that he believed the part of town which would impact the least amount of people was Barone’s Restaurant and the Pleasanton Hotel. He indicated that he has heard comments regarding noise from the Fairgrounds, from barking dogs, and from parking lot noise, but that he fully supported the request and enjoys the benefits Barone’s has to offer. Kevin Gallagher stated that he lives on First Street across from the Farmers’ Market and that he hears the Concerts in the Park, the Farmers’ Market, movies in the park, and soon the Firehouse Theater, the reasons he moved to the Downtown. He indicated that he felt the City was losing patrons to Livermore, Walnut Creek, and Danville. He added that living Downtown has some impacts but that none affect him on a regular basis. He noted that he starts his days between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. but that the positive aspects far outweigh any negatives from living Downtown. He stated that he felt Barone’s is a great opportunity and is Pleasanton’s chance to make the Downtown vibrant. He stated that he gets offers from friends to rent rooms just to be Downtown and noted that comments he has heard from people over the years is that the town closes early, which is a negative. He stated that consistent updates must be done for generating business and he asked the Commission to approve the proposal. Scott Raty stated that there was no greater adverse impact than the railroad that runs behind residential units. He agreed the recession has been difficult and felt the Barone’s have seized on an opportunity. He noted that people are not traveling or going to destinations, but are looking for entertainment and value closer to home. He added that the City has a unique opportunity to further the Downtown for entertainment and that he supported the Barones for leading the way. He stated that he felt they bring not only a restaurant business but also their home next door, which is a double investment. He urged the Commission to support staff’s recommendation and approve the request. Jenny Boyd stated that a better compromise is to have music on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She suggested a new idea that the Barones build a hall with proper soundproofing which would allow music until later hours. 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 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 12, 2009 Page 11 of 23