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Commissioner Blank commented that one would think that someone who moves into an apartment or a place directly across from a bar or a sound studio would know that there might be some noise. Commissioner Narum agreed. Commissioner O'Connor stated that the reason he is asking about owner- occupied versus rental is because a renter would obviously have a lot more options, such as picking up and moving, but it could be difficult for an owner occupant to move. Still in relation to CEQA, Ms. Ott noted that the Transition Area is particularly narrow, especially along Peters Avenue, and realistically applying all the decibel levels set out in the Guidelines given those parameters, there may be some other options to consider regarding whether or not those levels are appropriate. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Jerry Hodnefield stated that his family owns six properties in the Downtown area, one of which is located a half a block from the Downtown Hospitality Central Core Area. He noted that his daughter and her family are going to live in that home very shortly, and they completely support the subject map and its recommendations. He added that they are from the San Francisco area so they are probably used to more noise than the average family. Mr. Hodnefield stated that he has carefully read the Guidelines and thinks that the Task Force has done a terrific job of trying to balance all the forces and to take a reasonable approach in the effort to breathe some additional life into the Downtown area. He indicated that in Los Gatos, aside from a few selected facilities like Brannigan's and the microbrewery, the city goes pretty dead after 8:00 p.m., and in that respect, he believes a few night spots might have provided a little more entertainment so the city would benefit all who live within a reasonable walking distance. He added that the City of Saratoga five miles away is completely dead after 8:00 p.m. Mr. Hodnefield stated that he would hope for a little bit more with respect to the City of Pleasanton and that the recommendations he read in the Guidelines go a long way toward achieving those goals. He indicated that there will always be extremists who either want no limits on the hours of bar restaurants and other places of entertainment or want more restrictions and severely limit the hours of these establishments. He added that it is in the best interests of most residents of Pleasanton to establish reasonable balances between those who want more rules and those who want fewer rules. He pointed out that there will be people who will be wringing their hands and declaring that with the adoption of these new regulations, drunks and other undesirables will be prowling the neighborhood streets; the neighborhoods will no longer be safe and the property values will plummet. He indicated that research simply does not support that position and if he believed that to be true, he would not support the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 12, 2012 Page 14 of 35