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Staff Report to the Planning Commission Lands of Packard Foundation 26580 Taaffe Road March 25,2004 Page 3 of 6 Parking and Traffic There are twenty (20) existing parking spaces on the property which can accommodate the parking needs of more than 45 persons. The Foundation allocates the number of parking spaces available for each meeting room, and carpooling of a minimum of three persons per car is required. When event attendance exceeds the parking capacity, shuttles are arranged to transport the attendees to and from off-site parking areas. The parking restrictions prohibiting parking on neighboring roadways or along the driveway entrance will remain unchanged. (Condition of Approval#8) Noise There may be minor increases in noise levels as a result of additional guests at the facility, particularly when the outdoor areas are used. However, the conditions of approval limit the hours of the meetings and preclude the use of outdoor amplification. (Conditions of Approval #6 and #7) In addition, because the facilities are located on a 38+ acres property, there is a great distance between the activity areas and the nearest adjacent homes. Thus, any increase in noise impacts to the surrounding neighbors should be negligible. CONCLUSION Since the Foundation began its operation at the Taaffe Road property in 2001, the Town has received no complaints from neighbors or residents regarding the activities on the site. The applicant is not proposing any changes to the existing buildings, structures or landscaping. Packard Foundation's request to modify the number of guests allowed for small meetings will not substantially intensify the use of the site. The meeting and parking facilities are adequate and can easily accommodate forty-five (45) persons. Potential increase of noise, traffic, and parking impacts will be negligible. The project conditions including prohibition of parking on neighboring streets, restrictions on noise, and limits on size and frequency of meetings, will continue to assure that abutting properties are not adversely impacted. In addition to modifying condition of approval#10, staff is recommending the deletion of condition numbers 11, 12, 13, and 15 because these conditions have been completed by the applicant and are no longer applicable. CEQA STATUS The project is categorically exempt under Class 1 of the State CEQA Guidelines ATTACHMENTS 1. Recommended conditions of approval 2. Letter of request from the Packard Foundation dated February 13, 2004 3. Site Map