PC 02/12/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

Rob Anglin, 1995 De Vaca Way, Livennore, feels that the Valley/Pleasanton is within his purview of his "community." He is in support of this project, the personnel involved in this birthing center, and supports parents having alternative birthing choices. At this time, there is no such birthing center in the V alley, and there is a need for such a service. Susan Settle, 1250 Walker Ave., #5, Walnut Creek, is a Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified Childbirth Labor Assistant. She feels there is a need in the Valley for a bed-birth-breakfast center. This alternative is safer than a home birth. The clients will be respectable, educated persons and will be advised to be respectful of the residents in the neighborhood. As for traffic, she advised there is a church and convalescent hospital already on this street. She doesn't see that this would have an impact on the neighborhood. Lynsley Rollins, 570 Sycamore Road, is also a Childbirth Educator and Assistant. She feels this would be a wonderful addition to the City. She understands the neighborhood opposition to change, but if not a birthing center, it could be a multi-family house causing more noise. The birthing center will not be functional during the weekends, park concerts, or during the Farmer's Market. Dr. Bleecker has gone out of his way to address all of the neighborhood concerns. Dennis Peterson, is a friend of Dr. Bleecker, and through his association with the applicant, this birthing center is more than just a way to make a living for Dr. Bleeker; he has a commitment to providing women a choice in their birthing decisions. The speaker is in support of Dr. Bleecker's philosophy and this application. Lloyce Jaunkalnietis, 4584 First Street, acknowledged that the parking has been addressed and that there will be no childbirth classes. She feels they will now have to disclose the birthing center when selling their homes, and she foresees that there will be less people willing to buy their homes. Then residents will ask the City to rezone their neighborhood which would change the character of the neighborhood to businesses in quaint homes. More people in the neighborhood will be negatively affected than will be helped by the facility. Betty Nostrand, 4698 Second Street, distributed a map indicating the 21 residents in the neighborhood who are opposed to the application. She is surprised the application has moved forward and that staff is supporting it. She is not opposed to the idea of a birthing clinic, but feels the lot is too small to accommodate this use. The surrounding residents have put a lot of money and work into their homes to make it a unique heritage neighborhood. Feels they are a victim of the RM zoning and would like to see a rezoning to RI. Finlay Boag, 4558 Second Street. He stated that the-supporters of the clinic do not live in the area, whereas the opposition all live in the neighborhood. He spoke to the fact that parents in the process of labor drive erratically. This is a safety issue for the children/residents in the neighborhood. He feels the character of the neighborhood will be lost. There are too many issues in the staff report that are unenforceable, and he is skeptical that problems will be corrected by staff. Mr. Boag wants the home to remain a residential use. There is no convalescent hospital on Second Street. He is opposed to the approval of this application. ~ Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 February 12, 1997