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amendment whereby owners with property in the transition area that directly abutted the core area could submit such a request to the City, to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Staff recommends that the Council find the DHG would not have a significant effect on the environment, adopt the resolution recommending approval of the Negative Declaration, adopt the resolution approving the draft guidelines, and introduce the ordinance adopting the draft amendments to the Municipal Code. Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. Mike Hughes, Baci Bistro and Café Main, thanked the City for finally bringing this all together. He acknowledged the concerns regarding noise and increased activity but said it has been a real struggle to develop late night business in what is essentially labeled a ghost town after 9 p.m. These guidelines will go a long way towards demonstrating that Pleasanton is open for business. He said that restaurants are the anchors of the downtown and believed their success would benefit all local businesses and in turn, the community. Mark Shawver said he is a long time resident, recently relocated to the downtown, and is very excited by the work represented in these guidelines. Margene Rivara said she and her husband very much support downtown vitality and respect the property rights of all owners. She said the staff recommendation is arbitrarily discriminating against certain owners by placing them in the transition zone and limiting their use, in some instances directly across the street from another property that can benefit from the more lenient guidelines for the core zone. She said she and her husband are very willing to tolerate the noise and extra traffic in the downtown and that they very much support the recommendation of the EVC and PDA. She read an email from Dr. Long, who could not attend, in which he stated that his property at 363 St. Mary's Street was singled out with just three others to be discriminated against in the transition zone. He further stated that this was done without prior notification or explanation by City staff and against the recommendations of the EVC and Chamber of Commerce, an officious and disc'iminatory devaluation and covert decision to which he objected. Joseph Barone, Barone's Restaurant, said he concurred with Mr. Hughes and supported the guidelines proposed by staff. He said Pleasanton was a wonderful place to do business 18 years ago but that it has become a real struggle in the last few years. Outdoor music has really evolved into something that not only supports his business, but also supports this community. He noted that Barone's was not included in the core zone but was ultimately voted in at his request. He thanked the task force and the public for all their hard work. Rick Ring, Pastas Trattoria, said the guidelines represent a tremendous undertaking that will benefit the entire downtown. In reading through some of the comments the Council received, he said it is important to remember the substantial investment that restaurateurs have made in their business and in the City. The proposed guidelines represent changes that are extremely important to the vitality of the downtown and the longevity of these operators. With regards to noise, he said there is more to consider than just entertainment. Religious groups regularly congregate downtown and use loud speakers to amplify content that is not only offensive but also unregulated. He also noted that the recent influx of food trucks, which now gather at Amador High School, detract from local businesses who have invested in the community where they have not. He agreed that parking is a concern that warrants examination. Maricela Barone echoed her husband's comments. She said the activity and vitality is part of the charm of living in the downtown and that she is very excited about this revitalization. 9