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Minutes-City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting-December 4, 1995 Page - 12 - JOINT PUBLIC HEARING (continued) P. Milton Chew, Owner of 14750-14760 E. 14th Street, Managing Partner of Eden Center on E. 14th Street, objected to eminent domain. He asked if eminent domain would still be used if a property owner improved his property at the request of the Redevelopment Agency. He said he is working with an architect to improve his property and does not know why it is included in the eminent domain area. Q. Bob Berger, 13475 Bancroft Avenue, expressed concern that the Bal Theater, a landmark building, is on the eminent domain list. He said he has been working to have the theater converted to a performing arts center. Debbie Potter explained eminent domain could help preserve the theater by assisting in acquisition of parking and creating an activities node. R. David Heitel , 931 Arbor Drive, said he favors expanding eminent domain Secause there is a need to reinvest capital and attract private capital . He said a business manager would not hesitate to invest his capital to protect his franchise. S. Lou Filipovich, 15376 Laverne Drive, said every case must be handled separately. He said he believes in individual property rights and said this should be subject to voter approval . He said home sellers must comply with disclosure laws. He said anyone affected by the ordinance may want to get private counsel as to how it affects their property. He said eminent domain results in homes or businesses moved, reduction in City and County services as redevelopment taxes are shifted, and subsidies to developers. He said Redevelopment has been stopped in a number of other cities. He talked about prices of homes for sale. T. Dan Gray, 2336 Merced Street, said he began working with the Redevelopment Agency on the Marina Square site over 10 years ago. He said the Center is relatively small , but much of its success is due to the unique tenant mix, all of whom came from outside the City. He said the success is also due to the Marina Boulevard infrastructure and the investment of public funds has created a framework around the premiere gateway to San Leandro. He said eminent domain will allow and enhance new development and attract new businesses to the community and will provide that existing landowners and businesses are fairly treated. He requested support for adoption of eminent domain. U. Ellen Geis, said she heard the North Area Task Force was split up. She said the City should have figured out a plan and talked to every business owner before they did all this work. It appears that it's all cut and dry. Redevelopment used to mean fixing up the old store fronts on East 14th, helping them paint, etc. Now it is taking away people's property. She said this is against her constitutional rights. She said the City should wait until a developer makes a proposal , then have a planning committee. It is not fair to have businesses live with the threat of eminent domain.