PC 08/14/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . assessment district, and if the interchange does not go forward, whatever mitigations are developed, Thoratec would be part of that assessment district. Chairman Lutz advised that he spoke with Me. Hirst. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED D. Keith Grossman, President and CEO of Thoratec Laboratories, 1002 Horizon Ct., Danville, represented Thoratec in their application for the design review and major modification to the PUD development plan. They would like to receive approval from the City, and they would appreciate any City efforts to expedite this project. He gave an slide presentation on Thoratec Labs Corp. and their V AD system (Ventricular Assist Device), which can maintain human life while waiting for a heart transplant. Me. Grossman stated Thoratec is very happy to be moving to Pleasanton, that the company is regulated by many state and federal agencies, and they consider themselves good corporate neighbors. Brad Hirst, 1811 Santa Rita Rd., #128, commented that the staff report was very thorough. He noted the architectural plans submitted are the fifth revision after previous review and modification. Also, the HazMat plan has been submitted to the Fire Department and is under review. The grading plan will be submitted to the City within the next few days so they can commence grading before the rainy season. The adjoining property owner (BofA building) has submitted a letter of support of the project. Me. Hirst asked that Condition 54, time of construction activities, be changed to allow construction to start at 7 a.m. Commissioner Wright inquired that since the noise of the HV AC equipment running 24 hours a day is a complaint of a neighboring resident, does it have to be air conditioned 24 hours per day. Me. Michael O'Hara, 4800 El Camino Real, Los Altos, responded that there are about 8,000 sq. ft. which must be cooled 24 hours a day. Commissioner Wright then asked Mr. Grossman if the future intent of the V AD was to be used as an artificial heart, and Me. Grossman advised that once the portable unit is ready (January 1997), European markets will use their product as a portable artificial heart. Commissioner Cooper asked if Ms. Boykin had toured the Berkeley plant. She said she had and briefly described her findings. She generalized Thoratec as mainly research and development, with small amounts of chemicals used in laboratory rooms. There is a manufacturing area for the production of polymers which had very rigid controls on ventilation. They had a storage room for flammables, which she mentioned would need to be upgraded in Pleasanton. The Berkeley Health Department and Fire Department advised that Thoratec has not had any spills or releases. In response to Chairman Lutz, Prank Dobson, project architect, 3664 Grand Avenue, Oakland, stated the comments of Mr. Cannon had to do with the location of the building entry, raising the height of the entry element, and adding more glass. Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 August 14, t996