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this type of business. Her own personal experience was these uses do create a negative impact. <br />The background of these businesses is unknown. If this was an allowed use it would be a <br />deterrent to more families in coming here. She strongly urged Council not to vote for a zone <br />change. Leave the use in the current zoning areas. She would also like the businesses <br />regulated, the backgrounds checked, the applicants finger-printed and kept away from the <br />children. <br /> <br /> Mayor Tarver said he just took an oath to defend the constitution and this is the issue that <br />is being discussed here tonight. He asked that the comments be addressed to what would satisfy <br />the community in permitting this type of use and still take care of the community's concerns. <br /> <br /> Brent Lokker, 4457 Fairlands Drive, believed that First Amendment rights for <br />extrasensory consulting have been provided by access into industrial zones. He also believed <br />the community had the right to say no more and asked Council to exercise this right. He read <br />passages from the Bible. He believed if these uses were allowed the ramifications would be <br />beyond imagination. He asked the Mayor to stick with the current zoning and if this is taken <br />to court he and others would stand up for the community. <br /> <br /> Amel Whitaker, 5766F Monaco Drive, said he is a mental health professional and <br />frequently, when families reach a point of great distress, they are very vulnerable and look for <br />help in alternative health professions. He said there is no scientific evidence that any of the <br />theories behind extrasensory consulting. Mental health professionals have to go through training <br />and become licensed. Extrasensory consulting is not necessarily a spiritual or religious business. <br />He would like the zoning to remain as it is currently. <br /> <br /> Geoff Cooper, 7534 Flagstone, did not want to see this type of business in the downtown <br />area. He felt this use does not fall under a religious use. He said the people that operate this <br />kind of business are in it to make money. He suggested looking at the recommendations for gun <br />stores. He said the City had no problem passing a firearms ordinance prohibiting the sale of <br />firearms in certain areas. This ordinance should be treated the same. He saw no problem in <br />prohibiting this type of business in certain areas. In regards to the free speech issue, no one is <br />saying the business owners cannot advertise or contact the newspapers. He just does not want <br />to see extrasensory consultants operating in the downtown area. <br /> <br /> Beth Fredricksen, 7920 Driftwood Way, said she loves living in Pleasanton. She is <br />familiar with the environment that surrounds psychics and does not want that environment in <br />Pleasanton. She asked about the adult entertainment only issue. She recognized Ms. Dennis's <br />comment in response to her question. But she had other concerns. Why does the disclosure <br />need to appear with the phone number and how would that requirement be relevant to the <br />business requesting the ordinance change? If advertisement on television tells the young people <br />that they cannot call because it is for adults only, what effect will the psychic business have on <br />the curious school children? What protection or safeguards are to protect the young people from <br />going to these places without parental permission? She suggested keeping the ordinance the way <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 23 12/01/98 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />