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Barb Young spoke in opposition to this project and believed such a large center would disrupt the peaceful nature of the neighborhood. She noted that she had not received any notice of this project and believed it was being imposed on the neighborhood. She noted that it had taken many years and studies for her own project, and she was concerned that after a few months, this project was moving forward quickly. She was concerned that property values declining as well as about traffic safety at the corner. Cindy Crawford spoke in support of this project. She expressed concern about the traffic impacts of this proposed project. Norm Thomas noted that the staff report incorrectly identified the applicant as a non-profit religious organization and that they were correctly tax-exempt. He inquired whether it was a 501(c)3 organization and whether they would pay property taxes in Pleasanton. He noted that Dublin Canyon Road was a hazardous road and inquired whether the applicant would pay for the additional lanes. He strongly believed a traffic study would be necessary. Don Corning noted that as a commercial photographer, he had photographed the Hacienda Business Park and all of Downtown for the Chamber of Commerce. He noted that the Planning Commission had done a wonderful job in designing the City to be colorful, beautiful, and with an internally consistent design. He believed this building did not fit the visual scheme of Pleasanton and that everyone should follow the same rules. He suggested that the building be re-designed to fit with the rest of the City and noted that the proposed fence did not fit with the design of other fences in Pleasanton. He noted that Cornerstone Fellowship in Livermore had a design element that blended with the rest of the buildings in Livermore and that they accommodated many more people than this proposed church. He noted that as he drove by it, it looked like another business building since it was located in a business park. He asked that the applicant be held to the standard of fitting into the surrounding community. He knew that growth was inevitable in Pleasanton and believed that 250 members was an underestimation. Bill Turner noted that the stated objective for the City planning ordinances was “to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of its citizens.” He did not believe this proposal met that goal and believed that given the reasons and concerns stated by other speakers, the proposed project may work against those goals. Adib Nassar noted that he was a Planning Commissioner in Dublin and that he had attended Christian schools in Lebanon. He noted that he studied Sufism under a Jesuit brother. He was pleased with the lack of discrimination during this hearing and supported this project. Chairperson Fox thanked the audience for staying on topic, being respectful for others’ opinions, and demonstrating respect towards one another. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 8, 2007 Page 14 of 24