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Commissioner Narum referred to Exhibit E of the staff report, a letter from one business owner in the Park requesting that sidewalks on both sides of the street be added for the safety of the children, and inquired if staff had considered this or had recommendations in this regard. She noted that the uses in this particular Business Park are definitely evolving more toward service - oriented uses, in particular for children, and there are basically no sidewalks there. She indicated that there are children in a lot of these buildings and makes sense to add some sidewalks there. Ms. Fraser replied that there is a sidewalk on the Tri- Valley Chinese Bible Church's side of the street. She noted that the sidewalk actually goes all the way around and up to Valley Avenue, thereby providing access from the Church to Valley Avenue and vice versa. Vice Chair Blank inquired if there is a sidewalk on the other side of the street. Ms. Fraser replied that there was none. Commissioner Narum inquired if, during the summer, should the teachers wish to walk the children over to Orloff Park, they could walk all the way there on a sidewalk. Ms. Fraser said yes. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Walter Chan, representing the applicant and a member of the Tri - Valley Chinese Bible Church, stated that the Church has been in its present location for the past 17 years. He indicated that they had obtained a Heritage School certification from the Department of Education because they wanted to start an after school program. He added that they also applied to the Valley Business Park Owners Association and had received approval as well. He explained that as a Heritage School, the Church provides an after - school program for school children from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade to assist them with their school work and to promote life skills. He continued that they also provide opportunities for children to learn subjects that are not taught in public schools, such as the Chinese language, Chinese cultural, art, and music, and Bible stories. Mr. Chan stated that they want children to learn and participate under a family -like environment in the care of their qualified teachers. He noted that during the first year, they expect a very small enrollment of no more than 20 or 30 children, and they may enroll more children in the following year. He indicated that their building has adequate facilities and classrooms of varying sizes to accommodate various activities. He added that they will not disturb their neighbors as all their windows are fixed glass panels, and the children will stay indoors during school hours. Mr. Chan stated that as a Heritage School, they want to offer not just a learning center but a community service center in the neighborhood for working parents who need child care and want their children to have an opportunity to learn specific subjects of interest. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 22, 2012 Page 4 of 8