PC 071311 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Olds stated that their application will no change anything in the way they have been operating this facility all this time. He indicated that they have licensure going back 15 years and have operated this facility that way; so he does not know where the disconnect is. He stated that with this application, they will be upgrading a lot of things, and if their application is not approved, the company will be greatly disadvantaged economically, and the community will be greatly disadvantaged as well. He noted that theirs is a very nice facility, and they do a great job. He added that there is no other facility like this in Pleasanton and none 20 miles outside of Pleasanton. He indicated that the demand for beds is very high, and people in the community would be disadvantaged by their losing the ten beds. He told the Commission that what they are trying to accomplish here is to be good neighbors and requested that they be allowed to keep those ten beds. Steve Black, Director of Operations, Pleasanton Convalescent Hospital, stated that he meets every day with the residents, staff, and family members and pointed out that the ten beds will mean a lot to the community. He indicated that many people have aging parents or grandparents and do not realize the need for this facility until that time comes. He noted that they do not have enough beds in their facility, and the past week, they had to turn down eight people who then had to go to Tracy, Walnut Creek, or Hayward for care. Mr. Black stated that having ten less beds to serve the community is detrimental. He indicated that the time and gas it takes to drive to Hayward and back on a daily basis do impact families. He noted that alternatively, many families elect to keep their loved ones at home to spend quality time with them, but that affects the home environment, as well as the resident who belongs in a facility. He added that not many people can afford that kind of home care; hence, there is a real demand in this community for facilities like this. Mr. Black stated that he sat down with the neighbors over long period of time, and one problem that was brought up was parking. He indicated that they did a parking study and are building 16 additional spaces, which would help alleviate the stress. He noted that there are times when they have special events where the parking lot fills up from time to time, and there are other times when their parking lots are used by people attending activities in the Downtown, such as on Friday nights. Mr. Black stated that the second complaint was about signage as ambulances, family members, and visitors would drive up the road and then turn around because they would miss the facility. He indicated that they are installing a sign and that they worked with the neighbors and City staff on its size, scope, design, color scheme, and lighting. He added that they have also proposed a wall to alleviate noise and light impacts on their neighbor from trucks backing into their facility. Mr. Black indicated that they have made diligent efforts to make things work for everybody and asked the Commission to approve their request to keep the ten beds as it will greatly benefit the community. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 13, 2011 Page 14 of 21