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improve the parking lot condition. Mr. Mehra explained specifically what was being <br /> appealed. Mr. Blake Lyon, Zoning Administrator, made some clarifying remarks on <br /> the three step process. <br /> Mayor Foust opened the public hearing and invited public comment. <br /> M/S Pierce/Howard to extend the meeting to 12:15 a.m. Motion carried <br /> unanimously by voice vote. <br /> Public Comment <br /> AI Zayha, the appellant from Redwood Oaks Concerned Neighbors thanked Council and <br /> staff and shared his concerns included the following items: safety, traffic, precedent setting, <br /> changing the nature of the area, density, street level views, street lighting at night, the lack <br /> of sidewalks, a blind corner that cars back out onto, the number of cars traveling in the <br /> area daily, overflow parking, glare, and how the site is surrounded by residents with a <br /> senior home on one side and an apartment complex on the other. He also mentioned that <br /> there are many children in the area and he asked that Council uphold the appeal and deny <br /> the use permit. <br /> Meg Van Buren, the appellant from the Redwood Oaks Community, thanked Council for <br /> the time and said that people chose to live in this neighborhood, with many being working <br /> class. She said there are not a lot of choices and there has always been some tension <br /> between commercial versus residential and she questioned how this fits into the General <br /> Plan and with Senate Bill 731 regarding massages. She asked Council to consider the <br /> following: reducing the hours and or days of operation to a couple of hours or to 5 to 6 <br /> days a week, and addressing lighting, speed bumps, and adding conditions to the use <br /> permit. <br /> Nils Helppi, the designer/architect for the Ocean Wave Spa project, introduced Mr. <br /> Slightam, Mrs. Yang and her daughter, and a family friend, John Chou, who served as a <br /> translator and character witness for the Yang family, who were seated in the audience. <br /> Fred Slightam, the property owner, said he wants fairness in balancing his rights with the <br /> homeowners' rights. He said the issue seems to be about the type of business and not <br /> about the parking, and he is confident this business has been thoroughly checked out. <br /> John Chou said he is a friend of the applicant and a driving school instructor. He said that <br /> he knows the family well and Mr. Yang is working overseas. He said the family is very <br /> honest, and that he knew them when they had opened business in the East Bay, but that <br /> the drive was too long so they want to open a business in Redwood City. He said the <br /> Yangs think a reduced work week of five to six days is too short for running a business. <br /> Nils Helppi read a letter from Mr. Yang to the City Council stating his desire to design a spa <br /> in Redwood City, and have Mr. Helppi, Mr. Slightam, and for his family to represent him at <br /> this meeting. The letter included why he was unable to be present, his belief that the pros <br /> can be demonstrated for the establishment of this business, the time and funds he has <br /> already invested in the project, traffic flow and his desire for more public transportation <br /> since Woodside is a commercial street. He added that Mrs. Yang holds a certificate in <br /> massage therapy, his daughter is attending college, that this business can benefit <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCILREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD JULY 13, 2009 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 13 <br />