18 ATTACHMENT 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

^ An anonymous a-mail was received on October 7, 2007 requesting that the Planning Commission remove the use permit from the consent calendar because they felt that this was not an item that is routine in nature. The concerned individual feels that a "hunting hawk" is not the same as a chicken and that the hawk is not considered a fowl. They continue by saying that as a neighbor, having someone throw live animals in a cage and watching them be killed is "scary ". The resident stated that they have not heard of wild hawks attacking pets or children, but fears that if the hawk is kept hungry it would attack a small kitten or baby in a neighboring yard. They continued by saying that if the applicant is allowed to keep and train the hawk in the backyard the Planning Commission would have to allow anybody to do the same thing. The following is staff's response to the questions that were stated in the anonymous e- mail. QUESTION.• Since Shadow Cliff is in Pleasanton, is it illegal for her to hunt with her hawk in our public park: STAFF' S RESPONSE: Hunting is not allowed in the East Bay Regional Park District at Shadow Cliffs or Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve. QUESTION.• Who takes care of the hawk while she is gone? STAFF' S RESPONSE: Per federal and state licensing requirements, only a licensed falconry can care for another falconers hawk. Since it would be in the applicant's best interest to keep the hawk, it is unlikely that the applicant is neglecting the hawk in her absence. ^ Bob Gallagher contacted staff via a-mail stating his opposition to anyone keeping a "wild animal " in a back yard. Mr. Gallagher feels that a red tailed hawk should not be treated in this type of manner and needs to be free. ^ Dan Carl, of 2161 Pomezia Court, contacted the commissioners via a-mail to voice his concerns regarding the applicant's request. Mr. Carl stated that he hoped that the Commissioners would not "entertain" modifying the Municipal Code to classify "trained to kill raptors " or other wild animals as pets like dogs, cats, or chickens. He continued by saying that there is an element of "hunting within City limits " as the training and feeding of the hawk requires a diet of quail, doves, bunnies, ducks, and the like, which he feels raises additional Municipal Code questions. Mr. Carl hopes that the use permit would not be approved because residents in the area should be able to presume that their small pets and children are safe from any potential harm that a "wild animal "poses. He continued by saying that this could open "Pandora's Box" by allowing exotic or PA UP-4, Jennifer Hosterman /Hawk Planning Commission Page 10 of 15