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2) Open public hearing; MIS: HARTNETT/HOW ARD TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE AND HEARING OPENED AT 8:40 P.M. MINUTE ORDER NO. 95-217 3) Hear public comment; David Saisi, appellant, 649 Iris Street, Redwood City, presented information packets and photographs of the area on behalf of the neighborhood. Mr. Saisi, in reference to the number of church members in the audience, he stated that this represented the number of people who walked through the neighborhood. He presented background and history of the application, and stated that the appeal had been filed on behalf of the neighbors. The neighbors believed that a compromise had been reached but the Kingdom Hall turned it down. Mr. Saisi urged Council not to allow the parking lot as it will hurt the quality of life for people living in the area. It will not enhance the neighborhood, nor will it alleviate street parking. Mr. Saisi stated that the area could not handle growth and requested that Council overturn the approval. He presented statistics showing the attendance of meetings held at the Kingdom Hall, and stated that people often left after 10:00 p.m. Mr. Saisi said he was disturbed at the reference to discrimination in the Kingdom Hall's letter. Clelia Rossi, 642 Iris Street, Redwood City, a resident since 1941, stated that she has seen an increase in attendance at the Kingdom Hall, and would like a guarantee that the Kingdom Hall will not expand. She stated that the congestion had decreased property values, and she opposed any increase in the size of the lot. Mrs. Rossi added that there are traffic, pollution, noise and public safety problems, and neighbors are denied the full enjoyment of their property. Mrs. Rossi asked why the Kingdom Hall did not understand that this was a long existing residential area. She voiced her objections to the boxing of the creek and urged Council to deny the permit. Michael Lopez, 612 Hudson Street, Redwood City, expressed concern regarding pollution during the construction, which included noise, air, lights, which also were an intrusion of privacy, safety, and security. He expressed concern regarding emergency vehicle access, out of control cars, late night foot traffic and loitering. Craig Finlayson, 628 Iris Street, Redwood City, opposed approval of the permit, and stated that the City planner had said that precedence obligates issuing of the permit. He stated that the Kingdom Hall building had been built as a residence. Upon hearing a reaction from a member of the audience, Mayor Gasparini stated that interrupters would be removed from the Board of Supervisors Chamber. Mr. Finlayson continued that the owner had bequeathed the house to the Kingdom Hall, and he felt the area would not accommodate the proposed expansion as it is a small area. He also stated that he had recently had an appraisal done on his property MINUTE BOOK NO. 53 Page No. 398 Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes October 30, 1995 Page 11