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year or two. Commissioner Blank noted that the applicant, in an email, indicated that the hawk would be mortified to be called a fowl. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Pearce related to whether the applicant, with her new license status of general falconer, plans to obtain more than one hawk. Ms. Decker replied that it was not currently an immediate interest to the application, although the classification would allow that. Commissioner Pearce noted that she did not see that staff has limited the applicant to one and only one hawk on-site. Ms. Harryman indicated that the Commission could have that option. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Pearce regarding how the live quail were obtained, Ms. Decker responded that she did not know but believed that there were probable sources available and that they were not being trapped. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding whether the applicant had a number of quails in her backyard, Ms. Decker replied that she did not know but understood that the applicant had a source for live feed for the hawk. She noted that using the live feed in the mew was not a frequent occurrence and that it was part of the raptor's training. Staff did not see any evidence of quail being maintained and believed that the applicant had a source of live feed. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding exotic animal ordinances in surrounding communities, Ms. Decker replied that ordinance amendments were often done based on need. She noted that the City was aware of these ordinances but did not do an exhaustive search for examples. She added that it was likely these ordinances were developed based on a need in those communities, similar to what the City of Pleasanton has experienced as well, for example, for pot-bellied pigs. She added that the City would have the ability to craft an ordinance amendment, which would go before City Council. She noted that if the Planning Commission would like to continue the item in order to perform research regarding other ordinances in other communities, staff would be able to return with the results of a nationwide search of exotic animal ordinances. She noted that there were 700 falconers nationwide and felt optimistic that examples could be produced. Chairperson Fox noted that San Ramon had a wild animal ordinance. She then asked the Commissioner what they would like to do regarding this item. Commissioner Blank noted that he was troubled by the application, more on technical grounds than anything else. He did not believe that the Planning Commission would approve a wolf so that a wolf would be allowed to be kept on leash when it was out of an enclosure. He noted that a hawk and a fowl were very different in terms of biological classifications. He added that he would not want a chicken coop next door to him, and if that were to be disclosed during a real estate transaction, he would not buy the house. He noted that he frequently observed hawks and turkey buzzards hunting in the back hills from his home, which was their nature, and indicated that the hawks in the back hills were wild. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINiJTES, December 12, 2007 Page 11 of 15