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Minutes -City of San Leandro City Council and Page 9 <br />San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting -September 20,1999 <br />Council Member Glaze agreed with Council Member Nardine. He stated it was ill- <br />advised to try doing all of these properties at one time. He questioned who's plan <br />is being followed, who's vision, and where are we going with this vision? He feels <br />the vision is getting skewed. He would like to see a plan for the areas in question <br />before proceeding. <br />Council Member Lothrop agreed with the need to come up with a plan for the <br />future of this area. She expressed her disappointment in the lack of <br />communication with the affected property owners in this community. She stressed <br />that staff needs to find a better way to do this. <br />Council Member Loeffler agreed with his colleagues. He indicated it is not clear <br />what we're moving toward with this process. He indicated eminent domain is the <br />most powerful tool and should be used as a last resort. He, too, feels the process <br />is flawed and indicated the public has not been educated about the concept of <br />redevelopment. He feels the City needs to pause and question why this process is <br />in isolation of and is not being done in concert with the review of the General Plan. <br />Vice Mayor Galvan indicated he has a great deal of respect for the process and <br />realizes it is an emotional issue. He added, almost every development proposal in <br />San Leandro, as abuilt-out community, is one that is a reuse of property. He <br />further commented that redevelopment has been used to generate sales tax for the <br />City. He credited staff for taking certain properties out of the proposed area, <br />based upon concerns that have been expressed by particular property owners. He <br />noted he has heard the City Council express great concerns in the past about <br />specific areas (nodes) that are in need of upgrading. He stated he feels the City <br />Council should move forward on some of the proposed areas (nodes); and he, as <br />one Council Member, is prepared to do that this evening. <br />Vice Mayor Galvan clarified with the City Attorney and for the record that his <br />mother owns property on Washington Avenue; but he, personally, does not own <br />any property within the affected area; and, thus, does not have a conflict of <br />interest. <br />Council Member Grant indicated she is not one who generally supports this type of <br />taking of property. She also commended staff for their efforts on this proposal and <br />indicated this has not been an easy process. She expressed that she feels many <br />things are missing. She feels there should be more public knowledge about the <br />process, as well as a shared vision. She would support holding this matter over <br />and continuing it for further review but acknowledged she would like to see the <br />Bayfair Mall node go forward tonight. She would also be in support of taking <br />action on the Bal Theatre node but still feels there should be a plan. <br />Council Member Lothrop indicated her support for moving forward with the Bal <br />Theatre node, also. She would also see the Island Motel node as something that <br />should be addressed tonight and, perhaps, also the preserve plant. <br />