Someone with the initials JB is applying for a Minor Use Permit to put a "School of Rock" in the Market Place Shopping Center. No this isn't the plotline of a new Jack Black movie; the Franchisee for the new music school is John Baker.
I thought the school's name came from the hit movie, which was released in 2003. But the chain of music schools was started back in 1998. This is a long-established company with hundreds of schools all over the World and throughout the USA. There are three in the Bay Area, San Mateo, Palo Alto, and San Jose. The one in San Ramon will be the only one in the East Bay/Tri-Valley for now.
The announcement about the Minor User Permit was posted on the City's website on April 21st. "The Zoning Administrator intends to approve MUP 15-501-006, subject to the conditions of approval, and no formal hearing will be held regarding this application unless requested in writing and received by the Planning Services Division on or before Friday, May 1, 2015 at 5:00 p.m."
It took me a little searching to find the exact location. It's in the North part of the shopping center next to the Bank of America. The Bollinger Canyon Animal Hospital is on the other side of B of A. The music school will be in the side facing Montgomery Street, which is the street that goes between the two sides of the shopping center.
I emailed Bollinger Canyon to see if they knew about it and received a reply from David Block, Business Manager and husband of Dr. Sandy Block. I'm a client of Bollinger Canyon and bring my cats in for checkups and shots. I still take them to Bishop Ranch for emergencies and boarding and special treatments like Catupuncture.
Bollinger Canyon is a nice neighborhood animal hospital. Dr. Sandy Block is the main Vet and they just hired another full time Vet. I thought the noise of rock music might be a problem for the animals. David Block didn't think so. They don't do boarding and the animals don't stay overnight. He is more concerned about the parking.
Parking in that part of the lot is very tight. The Vet Hospital has two reserved spaces and the B of A Bank has I think three short term parking spaces to use the ATM.
The description on the Minor Use Application ". . . includes daily private lessons for up to 6 students at any one time and group band rehearsals for up to 20 students at any one time 3 times per week. The hours of operation would be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, and closed Sundays and Mondays." Up to 20 students three times a week might require carpooling or drop offs.
Other than that I love the idea of a music school for teens here. Since this will be the only one in the East Bay/Tri-Valley right now, it should attract a lot of interested students. I'd go to recitals if they hold them. I watch music competition shows on TV. This would almost be like having our own "American Idol" or "The Voice" in our backyard.
By the way, I did some searching on the movie "School of Rock," which I liked a lot when it came out 12 years ago. It's hard to believe it was that long ago. There's a TV series planned for this year, but no channel is listed yet.
