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Mr. Campbell said he had received a complaint that McDonald's Corporation did not meet with the neighbors before submitting its plan. Isn't that customarily done by new restaurant developers? Mr. Swift responded that staff schedules those kinds of meetings if an application would be sensitive to neighbors. This site is a long way from any immediate neighborhood. The Vintage Hills neighborhood was given notice of the application, but no meeting was scheduled. Mayor Pico declared the public hearing open. Leslie Mitchell, Real Estate Representative with McDonald's Corporation, 2527 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, indicated the plan was approved by the Planning Commission in May with three additional conditions of approval. McDonald's is in agreement with all the conditions. She said the two-lane drive-through will allow a more efficient service to customers and would reduce emissions from idling cars. An additional filtration system will be installed for kitchen hoods and grills to eliminate any food odors that may impact air quality. They have reduced their signage and minimized the impact of the playplace from the street by using tinted windows in the front of the building. There is a fourteen to twenty-five foot landscaped buffer along both streets. She indicated that she had asked if there were any neighborhood groups that should be contacted, and the City staff said that was not necessary. Brad Goldblatt, proposed owner of the new restaurant, described how he and the McDonald's Corporation contribute to the community. Regional programs include the Ronald McDonald House and Caremobiles, which contribute to the health and welfare of children. Almost $250 million has been awarded to children's programs worldwide. Locally, $3 million has been donated to nonprofit children's organizations. He described the "Keep Music Alive in Our Schools" program, which provides musical instruments to various schools. He read a list of forty local organizations and schools to which he has given contributions. Mr. Campbell asked if there would be balls in the playplace area. Mr. Goldblatt said there would not be any balls, only fixed play structures like slides, etc. Bill Kilroy, 3670 Chillingham Court, expressed his support for this application. He has known the Goldblatt family for thirteen years. He believes the planning process works very well in Pleasanton and urged Council to uphold the Planning Commission's decision. He believes this is an attractive project that will enhance the area. He was having work done at a business near this site and the people there were happy about this proposal. He said Mr. Goldblatt does an excellent job maintaining his facilities and working with his employees and local vendors. He referred to the fact that there are already three McDonald's in Pleasanton. There is one on Pimlico, one inside WalMart and one at Stoneridge Mall. The last two serve a captive audience. He thought the proposed facility would be good for the area. Keith Wardin, 2931 Liberty, indicated he had seen the renderings and the site plan. He thought this was a good project and is not as bad as other fast-food establishments in some cities and suburbs. The owner and architect have done a good job mitigating the kind of visual blight Pleasanton City Council 5 08/21/01 Minutes