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<br />,r- Chairperson Maas stated that if she put herself in the place of the neighbors, she would be <br />bothered by the constant noise. She indicated that she supported Toby's original application <br />because she considered it as something that would be neat and a good fit for the Downtown: a <br />chef who sang acoustical music, good food, and a great outdoor dining area, She commended <br />Commissioner Roberts and staff for their work with the neighbors and the owner. She expressed <br />support for Option No.3 because it is not closing the door on Toby's but allowing it to bring the <br />music back once it mitigates the noise issue. She concluded that she can be flexible and go along <br />with the change of use from the original application to what it is now, but not at the consequence <br />of depriving the neighbors of their sleep. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sullivan agreed with both Commissioner Roberts and Chairperson Maas that <br />negative impacts of a business on its neighbors need to be mitigated by the business and not by <br />the neighbors. With respect to Option No, 3, he expressed concern that the business may not be <br />able to afford to install sufficient acoustical mitigations to the neighbors' satisfaction, and live <br />music will not be allowed until these are in place. <br /> <br />Mr. Iserson commented that the business will not be allowed to have amplified music until it can <br />demonstrate that measures have been taken to bring the noise down to acceptable levels. He <br />stated that this will have to be based on experience and testing; hence, the acoustical consultant's <br />role to recommend what would be most cost.effective. <br /> <br />r- <br /> <br />Commissioner Sullivan added that something needs to be done about the patio to prevent <br />incidents like dancing on tabletops when music is allowed later. He stated that the original intent <br />for the patio was for dining and not for drinking or hanging out. <br /> <br />Chairperson Maas inquired if this should be addressed now or when the item comes back to the <br />Commission in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Iserson replied that this was a Commission decision; however, what staffhad in mind was to <br />have a self-implementing solution without necessarily having to come back to the Commission. <br />He explained that the recommendation is structured in such a way that when the acoustical <br />mitigations are in place and the live band comes back, whatever conditions the Commission <br />places regarding the patio would also take effect then. He suggested that the use be made as <br />specific as possible without going too far, such as allowing only sit-down dining or waiter <br />service. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kameny moved to make findings of the staff report for the use permit <br />modification and to approve the modification to Case PCUP-36 subject to the conditions of <br />Exhibit B., with an additional condition that if amplified live music is resumed after <br />acoustical mitigations are put in place, the patio be used only for sit-down dining. <br />Commissioner Roberts seconded the motion. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sedlak concurred with Commissioner Sullivan's comment regarding requiring <br />businesses, not neighbors, to mitigate the negative impacts of the business because neighbors <br />should not be asked to change their lifestyles at home to accommodate a business. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES <br /> <br />November 13, 2002 <br /> <br />Page 17 <br />