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religious events that include an outdoor component was provided by the applicant, as <br /> part of the Chabad application materials (Attachment 8). <br /> The CUP approval defines an outdoor event/activity as any activity or event that would <br /> have an attendance of 25 or more people. Gatherings smaller than 25 persons would <br /> not be considered as an event, or subject to limitations other than being restricted to the <br /> patio area. <br /> During the public hearings, the applicant raised the idea of creating a "contemplation <br /> garden" or "biblical garden" within the larger area of the property. The Planning <br /> Commission considered this idea, but ultimately, since the parameters and design of the <br /> garden were not part of the application, and therefore unknown, it was not incorporated <br /> into the approval. <br /> On the basis of the application, and in light of neighbor concerns, the Planning <br /> Commission considered appropriate thresholds for outdoor events, with an important <br /> consideration being respect for the religious use that requires some events to be held <br /> outside, including at least one event that takes place over several days. Conditions <br /> applied to outdoor activities/events include the following: <br /> • Limitation on the maximum size of events (whether held indoor or outdoor) to no <br /> more than 120 people at one time (Condition No. 4), and to start no earlier than <br /> 10 a.m. and conclude by 10 p.m. (Condition No. 6) <br /> • A maximum of 15 annual outdoor activities/events, inclusive of any of the events <br /> listed among the list of religious events provided by the applicant. Religious <br /> events occurring over several consecutive days are considered a single event <br /> among the 15 permitted. (Condition No. 3) <br /> • Amplification of any kind is only permitted at up to two of the fifteen outdoor <br /> events annually, is limited to the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., and is to be <br /> directed away from adjoining residential uses. (Condition No.10) <br /> • No outdoor events or activites (regardless of size) may take place outside of the <br /> patio or playground. (Condition No. 5). <br /> In their appeal, the Millers suggest these events should be more limited in scale and <br /> number, and particularly that it is not necessary to permit as many as 15 events, since <br /> many of these may not be associated with the Chabad's religious functions. The Millers' <br /> appeal also suggests that the noise impacts of events (both large and small) should <br /> have been analyzed more thoroughly. <br /> Conversely, the Chabad states that the limitations on size, type, timing, and <br /> amplification restrictions impinge on its right to exercise its religious freedom, and that <br /> no similar restrictions apply to religious institutions elsewhere in Pleasanton. <br /> With respect to the need for noise analysis, as noted, human voices are not subject to <br /> regulation under the noise ordinance. Given this, the fact that the use would be required <br /> to comply with the noise ordinance, the strict limitations on amplification and number of <br /> Page 12 of 15 <br />