25 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Bowers stated that other child-based businesses within VBP are normally located in a pure industrial area next to a truck door or roll-up door. He added that while the entire VBP is zoned Light Industrial, there are two pure office buildings in VBP, one of which is theirs. He said they own 1020 Serpentine Lane, and 1024 Serpentine Lane next door is an office building with no truck doors, no forklifts driving around. He added that the two buildings share a common driveway and parking lot, and they do not see any danger there for children like there may be in other spaces in the Park where there are roll-up doors, truck doors, and forklifts driving in and out. Mr. Bowers requested the Commission to approve the learning center in the office building within VBP as the City's zoning allows it as a Conditioned Use. Commissioner Pearce asked what sort of program they will be offering for the pre-kindergarten children. Mr. Bowers replied that they would be offering group learning activities. He suggested that his wife would be in a better position to answer the question. Commissioner Blank stated that he serves on the Board of Directors of a homeowners association and that normally, their association encourages its members to obtain the approval of the association before going to the City. He noted that sometimes homeowners who go to the City first and get approval get carried away and start working without the approval of the homeowners association, which could result in messy court cases. He asked Mr. Bowers why he came to the Commission without having the approval of the owners association, which is the reverse order of things. Mr. Bowers replied that they asked the owners association for approval but were denied. Commissioner Blank asked Mr. Bowers if he realizes that the Commission cannot grant him that approval. Mr. Bowers replied that he understands that. He added that they are looking for approval by the City, and if the owners association has a problem with it, they will deal with that when they have to. Summer Bowers, applicant, stated that she has been a highly-qualified credentialed teacher for 12 years and has actually worked in Pleasanton and Castro Valley. She added that she worked with the Pleasanton School District through its wonderful program which coaches and helps new teachers to be certified. Ms. Summers stated that the idea behind Summer Time Learning is to provide an essential piece that is missing in children's learning and education over the summer. She indicated that she wanted to start small with keeping pre-kindergarten and first grade students, providing them with a schedule and routine in a learning environment. She added that pre-kindergarten learning is not a one-on-one tutoring but rather, a EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, JUNE 8, 2011 Page 3 of 15