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Chairperson Fox noted that a lot of new construction has been handled with a PUD, especially if a variance was involved. She inquired why this new facility would not go forward as a PUD. Ms. Decker replied that the City is currently undergoing efforts to find ways to streamline the development process and that this project had been determined to be a candidate to process the application as a straight-zoned parcel which would require a design review, a variance, and a conditional use permit. She noted that churches were allowed on numerous zoning districts, including the Agriculture District, which is the zoning for this parcel. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding whether this application would come before the City Council, Ms. Decker replied that conditional use permits are not forwarded to the City Council; however, it would go to City Council if it were appealed. Ms. Seto advised that the annexation of the two County lots, which would be processed through the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), would come before the City Council. Chairperson Fox requested that members of the audience show respect for the public speakers by not making their agreement or disagreement known audibly; she stated that they could raise their hands if their agreed with the speaker. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Lynn Wilcox, applicant, noted that she was a professor at Cal State University in Sacramento and that she had written three books on Sufism. She had been a member of this congregation for 23 years, and she felt it was important that the applicant be able to build this facility. She noted that M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudiwas founded 1,400 years ago, but came to the United States in 1979. She noted that their relationships with the surrounding communities has been very positive because service is a key element of their belief system. She noted that they wish to come to Pleasanton because they were concerned with beauty, art, aesthetics, architecture, and gardens, and they believed Pleasanton was the perfect city for the implementation of these elements. She noted they had performed extensive neighborhood outreach and that they met with the homeowners association board of the development on April 12, 2007 and held general community meetings on March 18 and April 22. They also held an open house on May 19. She wished to assure the Commission that this was a very quiet group that focuses on meditation. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether the organized prayer services only took place on Sunday and the regular religious holidays of November 17, February 4, and the first day of spring, Ms. Wilcox confirmed that was the case. She noted that small meditation classes of 10-15 people were held in the evenings and Saturday afternoons but that these were not regular services. She noted that the classes were for adults, but she did not know the proposed times. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 8, 2007 Page 5 of 24