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Commissioner Ritter noted that it is interesting that no one from the neighborhood showed up tonight. Chair O'Connor commented that he assumes 18- wheeler diesel trucks make more noise than children, although it is not as constant and not there before hours. Commissioner Balch stated that he finds it very interesting and astounding that no one is present from the neighborhood. He indicated that he would totally understand if staff gets a lot of complaints on the back side if the Commission approved a school playground at that location. He continued that his initial difficulty with where the playground is proposed to be located is the fact that vehicles will be making a right turn into the rear of the shopping center coming down from Junipero Street and would be leaning right towards the fence as they go into the rear of the lot, so it is a bit difficult, without a doubt. He added that there is also a pass- through access in that general area. Chair O'Connor commented that for argument's sake, the Commission could condition some bollards going in that would wreck that car before it hits the fence. Commissioner Balch agreed that those would have to be required for the playground if the Commission approves the playground. Chair O'Connor added, again only for argument's sake, that striped white lines with "Keep out of this area" could be put in, but he is not saying that this is the best place to put in a playground. Commissioner Allen noted that most of the safety issue could be resolved with a strong steel fence or some support structure. She stated that in relation to noise, she was surprised that no one from the neighborhood showed up, and based on staff's input to the Commission, it sounds like people will notice in the afternoon when kids are screaming. She indicated that she personally had a situation where some new people moved into a house in Napa down from her place, and they have children on a trampoline which was driving her crazy, as it was a whole different environment she was not used to. She stated that her tendency would be to work with this if it is workable; however, it sounds like there are these two challenging issues which may not be an issue on its own but together are not enough to make her get excited about putting a playground in a shopping center and thinking outside of the box. Chair O'Connor noted that while not all ten houses to the rear would be within earshot of the noise, there would be about five or six there, and probably another three or four more homes across from Junipero Street that could be affected. Commissioner Piper inquired, from a noise perspective, if staff is concerned that there will be an issue later on, as there clearly is none at this time. Mr. Luchini replied that it would be a fair assumption, considering that a fairly quiet atmosphere would be changed to an atmosphere with children on a daily basis. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 12, 2014 Page 28 of 35