Laserfiche WebLink
Reverend Culmer, as they have done in the past, and ensure that everyone is <br />apprised of scheduled events. <br />Mr. Schwartz concluded that they concur with Conditions Nos. 6 and 7 as well. <br />Kevin Keen, a 32-year member of the Masonic Lodge, stated that he believed it was <br />important for the Commission to recognize that while the police took calls on <br />numerous occasions, not once did they indicated that the Lodge was in violation of <br />any noise ordinance. He stated that he has personally been present when an officer <br />had visited the Lodge after a call was made. He added that the officers had <br />indicated they must respond to these calls and agreed there was no problem. He <br />clarified that this did not mean they have never had noise issues and agreed that the <br />“Naughty and Nice” event was a problem. <br />th <br />Mr. Keen stated that the Masons are planning the Lodge’s 30 Anniversary <br />celebration this summer and had just spent $25,000 replacing the air-conditioning <br />units. He added that they have also invested money putting in grease traps, <br />walk-ins and other improvements. <br />Mr. Schwartz stated that Lodge’s calendar of events is available on-line to the public <br />at “www.atastefulaffair.com/calendar.” He indicated that it was important for them to <br />do what is best for the City, that they want to get along with neighbors and the <br />Church, and that there is no intention to hurt or bother anyone needlessly. <br />Craig Bell, Officer at Masonic Lodge and a Pleasanton resident, pointed out three <br />factual mistakes in the staff report: (1) The caterer’s name is “A Tasteful Affair” and <br />not “A Tasteful Event”; (2) He respectfully questioned Mr. Miller’s qualifications to <br />measure decibels and the equipment he uses; and (3) The report states that <br />47 non-Lodge events have been held between January 2008 and 2009. Mr. Bell <br />stated that they have had numerous events, both sponsored and not sponsored by <br />the Lodge. <br />With reference to the Conditions of Approval, Mr. Bell stated that it needs to be <br />crafted such that everybody concerned agrees to it, in language that is extremely <br />specific and accounts for everything. With respect to a condition that “No events <br />open to the public at large should be allowed,” he stated that the Lodge is a polling <br />place, which includes the public at large. He added that when St. Clare’s underwent <br />remodeling of its preschool last year, the school rented some space from the Lodge, <br />and a fee is charged for the conduct of the school. With respect to the condition that <br />“No advertising of a social event shall be allowed,” he inquired if this was for <br />non-Lodge-sponsored social event. He noted that the Lodge notifies all members <br />via the Internet and U.S. Mail of their annual Children’s Christmas Party and inquired <br />if this would be deemed advertising. He indicated that he understood the concept <br />behind the condition that “No alcohol shall be sold at any Lodge- sponsored event <br />held at the Lodge” but questioned its practicality, citing the fact that many individuals <br />rent halls and hire caterers in the City for weddings where alcohol is either served or <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 25, 2009 Page 6 of 27 <br /> <br />