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7. Potential Impacts to Biological Resources (plants, amphibians, insects, birds, etc.) — Does the Commission wish to provide any comments at this time? Commissioner Narum stated that as discussed earlier, this is a tradeoff between view versus the biological resources and finding the balance there. She indicated that this is a difficult thing to do, and the Commission needs to be conservative on the house height and the size so houses can be built in places that are going to be less harmful or have less of an impact on the biological resources, while at the same time trying to minimize the view impacts from below. Commissioner Pearce noted that is a good point. She added that she would like to mitigate any impact like that. Chair Pentin stated that this plan versus the previous plans is getting to a point of less and less impact, which is a good thing. He indicated that he is not an engineer but that it appears to him like the pad placements do minimize those impacts. He once again noted the lack of open space but added that there technically is a lot of open space that gets preserved regardless of whether or not it is open to the public. Commissioner Olson indicated that it was his understanding that the SEIR has been initiated and noted that it would be very instructive on this topic as well. No action was taken. Questions Regarding Recused Commissioners In connection with Commission members recusing themselves due to a conflict of interest, Chair Pentin inquired if a Commissioner can return to the meeting as a citizen after leaving the dais. Ms. Seto replied that she would be happy to clarify the recusal requirement, whether the Commissioner needs to be in the other room or can be in the audience, or how the Commissioner can address the Commission when it involves his /her residence. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if a Commissioner can come back and actually address the Commission once he /she is recused. Ms. Seto said yes, but only with regard to his /her residence and not to a business property that he /she owns. Chair Pentin stated for clarification purposes that he recused himself whenever a Valley Business Park item comes up but that he has been told by Assistant City Attorney Julie Harryman that he can leave the room and come back as a private citizen and speak in front of this Commission as long as he recuses himself first. He noted that this entails a business item. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 28, 2012 Page 30 of 33