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Jeff Nibert spoke in support of this prof ect. He noted that his son and daughter were <br />involved in the Tri-Valley Martial Arts program and noted that Mr. Pfund was a very <br />positive influence in his children's lives. He noted that his son's 9'/z-year involvement <br />with martial arts was the longest he had remained involved with any one activity, and he <br />considered it to be a considerable accomplishment. He noted that the benefits of the <br />program included it being a wholesome and fun activity, later instilling self-confidence. <br />He noted that it was also aself-esteem- and character-building activity. With respect to <br />the findings required to approve the conditional use permit, he noted that the staff report <br />stated that none of the items had been found to be true. He noted that the staff report <br />stated that the parking issue could be resolved if the academy reduced the maximum <br />number of adult students to six. He noted that the adult programs were held two evenings <br />per week, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and that five parking spaces were allocated. The <br />staff report stated that six spaces must be allocated if there were 10 students. He noted <br />that there was plentiful street parking at that time and that he had never had any problems <br />parking on-site during the evening. He disagreed with the notion of not making a finding <br />for lack of one parking space. He noted that he did not tell his children that they were <br />free to come and go; he instructed them not to go anywhere until he picked them up. He <br />noted that he had never had any problems with his children leaving the applicant's <br />facility or any other facility; he believed that was common sense. <br />Mr. Nibert noted that Section 2 stated that "the Tri-Valley Martial Arts was located in the <br />middle of an industrial park and not a residential area and that motorists within the <br />business park would not expect to encounter young people, which could lead to an injury. <br />He noted that Quarry Lane School was located across the street and that a music academy <br />was located in the same building; another athletic academy was located down the street. <br />He noted that he expected to see young people in that area. He believed the statement in <br />the first finding contradicted the statement in the second finding, which read, "The <br />proposed martial arts school would provide instruction lessons to local children and <br />adults, along with providing other child-related martial arts services." He noted that the <br />City has allowed similar uses to be located in similar industrial and office areas. <br />Mr. Nibert noted that Finding 3 stated that given the degree of inconsistency between <br />what was originally submitted and the current plan, staff found that the "proposed use <br />was detrimental to public heath, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or <br />improvements in the vicinity." He believed that Mr. Pfund had demonstrated a <br />commitment to adhere to the current plan and scope of operations, but because the new <br />scope differed from the old scope, staff seemed to consider that a danger to public health, <br />safety, and welfare. He found that a difficult statement to believe. <br />Darrell Darling spoke in support of this project. He noted that he had been active in the <br />sport of judo for over 50 years and had known Mr. Pfund since the early 1980s. He <br />believed that Mr. Pfund was a competent business owner, displayed expertise and <br />dedication to his art, and displayed great enthusiasm in passing his knowledge on to his <br />students. With respect to the adequacy of parking at the Quarry Lane School, he had <br />never experienced a problem with parking during the class times since the other <br />businesses were closed. He did not believe that parking would become a problem, even <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 13, 2008 Page 27 of 42 <br />