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Art Keyes, Menlo Park, and Bill Maston, Mountain View (both architects) noted that the staff reports for projects were not available until the Friday before the meeting. They felt this did not allow enough time for review and comment and recommended changing the calendar to allow sending staff reports out a week ahead. Mr. Marton also suggested a second pre -planning meeting for projects. Valerie and Tim Chown, 13822 Page Mill Road, commented that it was also important to allow the neighbors enough time to comment on projects. Shabinam Jain, Los Altos, believed it was a subjective process and one that was not clearly defined. She further commented that decisions by the Town seemed to be made after a lot of earlier decisions had been made on a project. She recommended a more objective process be established. It was agreed that the Planning Director would prepare a report for Council on the comments and suggestions made and what impact they would have on applicants, staff, etc. C. Sensitivity to and Interaction with Applicants at Meetings Casey believed that applicants were emotionally involved with their projects and felt they were being talked down to by the Planning Commission. Dauber noted that she had received calls from applicants before they were heard by the Planning Commission. She believed the policy should be reaffirmed that Councilmembers should not discuss a project before it went to the Planning Commission. Schreiner stated that she had recently listened to the tapes of several Planning Commission Meetings. She believed they were a detailed and thorough Commission and were doing a good job of carrying out the Town's codes and intent of the General Plan. Their decisions were based on this and not on not trying to help applicants. Cheng stated that applicants do not realize that they can not necessarily have the maximums allowed on their lots and then confusion follows. She knew this could result in emotional times and recommended that applicants be treated as the Commissioner and Councilmembers would want to be treated if they were the applicants. Bob Garrow, 13914 Mir Mirou, did not think the Planning Commission nor the Council had any business telling residents how to run their lives. He also commented that he had been a resident for fifteen years and there seemed to be no consideration of old and new. He suggested it was time to ask the residents what they wanted now as opposed to regulations made years ago. Valerie Chown, 13822 Page Mill Road, commented that existing residences could be dream homes too. She also noted that oftentimes after a public hearing was closed it was frustrating not being able to comment on statements that were made after the hearing was closed. Mrs. Jain, Los Altos, believed applicants should be able to talk to Planning Commissioners and Councilmembers about applications. Sharyn Brown, 27673 Lupine, stated that the residents relied on the Planning Commissioners and Councilmembers to protect the neighbors. October 29, 1997 Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting 2