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Commissioner Blank commented that the Consent Calendar would provide a much easier format than anover-the-counter approval with an appeal process; it also gives the Commission the opportunity to review the applications and the public to comment on them. In response to Commissioner O'Connor's inquiry if the public would still be noticed, Ms. Decker said no. She explained that this would become permitted uses with certain standazds that needed to be met and with an appeal process. She added that the intent was to provide a streamlined process that tazgeted specific projects that cleazly have no issues or community-wide impacts. She explained the tenants generally sign a lease for available tenant space and then find out when they come in for their business license that a use permit is required. She pointed out that the ensuing Planning Commission hearing process can then be very frustrating for the small business owners who have already made an investment but would have to wait for several weeks before their business can take off. She indicated that the proposed Code amendment would provide a quicker process for approving such projects. Commissioner Blank inquired if a community outreach or ordinance could be considered that would require the lessor to check if a conditional use permit is required prior to having the tenant sign any lease for commercial property. Commissioner O'Connor commented that this might get the tenants out of a financial bind but would not give them the ability to open their business 30 days eazlier and get their business going. Commissioner Blank noted that the proposed process might be the wrong approach because it makes it easier for the applicants, who should not be signing a lease before getting a business license or use permit, to get approval for their applications. Commissioner Peazce stated that this process is not a rewazd for bad behavior but a practical way of helping small business owners adhere to guidelines in a manner that would make it easier for them to manage their businesses. She added that the Commission would still consider businesses with over 25 students under the Consent Calendaz. Acting Chairperson Fox agreed and stated that she felt small businesses which now require permits in the Downtown azea aze being penalized for uses that aze less intense than other permitted uses in the City. Discussion ensued regazding the number of students that would be covered by this Code amendment. Ms. Decker explained the process by which staff arrived at 25 but indicated that the Commission had the discretion to change that number. Commissioner Blank requested staff to put together an analysis of the numbers with medians and standazd deviations to give the Commission a sense of where the numbers fall. Commissioner Peazce also requested a list of which projects had issues with them or community opposition. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 27, 2006 Page 14 of 19