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~^ ownership of the property, generating a dispute with the City over its ownership. Rather ( than have Valley Humane Society be tied up because of this dispute over the ownership, the City has entered into aright-of--entry agreement to allow the Society to move forward on this property. She noted that the right-of--entry had an expiration date of December 31, 2008, but in order to be consistent with normal Plarming approvals, it would be more appropriate to use three yeazs from the activation date. Staff recommended that the staff report be changed to reflect that change. Commissioner Maas inquired about the ownership of the abandoned vehicles on the site. Ms. Decker was unsure of their ownership. Commissioner Maas noted that she would address this issue during Matters Initiated by Commission Members. THE PU$LIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Phillip Vermont, Secretary of the Boazd, Valley Humane Society, 273 Spring Street, provided background information about their proposed relocation. He believed the Society would provide a good use for this surplus land that had been previously unusable and that the Society would maintain the City land as well. The Society is anxious to relocate as soon as possible, and a temporary modulaz building was its only option. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Arkin whether the Society had funding in place rte'' to build the structure, Mr. Vermont replied that the Society had received a bequest of $1.3 million. This has allowed the Society to hire a fundraising campaign manager and to perform a feasibility study. Commencement of construction is anticipated for Februazy 2007 with a completion date in 2008. With the increased costs because of Hurricane Katrina, he did know whether that date would be met precisely, but it would be very close. Commissioner Maas noted that she liked the idea of the plantings in pots for future re-use in front of the modulaz building and requested that they place benches in front of the building to give it a "homey" feeling. Mr. Vermont noted that their entire goal for the facility was to make it a learning center and that it eventually include a 32-person classroom. His goal was to make the property interesting to young people and volunteers. He noted that this is the only no-kill facility in the Tri-Valley area, and the animals would be treated as well as possible. He liked the idea of benches. Linda Gace, landscape designer, noted that a bench was initially proposed; however, as it was an interim facility, they were trying to keep costs as low as possible. Commissioner Maas suggested that bench donations be included in the fundraising efforts. Mr. Vermont noted that they were making contacts in the gazden community throughout ~,-. the azea. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, April 19, 2006 Page 6 of 12