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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - June 6, 1994 Page - 16 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) John Carlson, 721 Joaquin Avenue, said Mr. Kruger's recommendation should be implemented regardless of whether Walgreen's is approved. He said he would like to see a business there, and he is involved in the North Area Task Force. He said Walgreen's may not be the best use for this location. He said late hours and alcohol sales do not serve the community, and Walgreen's is a high-traffic generator. Steve Dombrink, Owner of Property South of Walgreen's, spoke in support of the project. He said this project can be a key to development in the area and an improvement of the area from Callan Avenue north. He said he has not heard very much about any viable alternatives and feels this is one of the best projects that can be provided in the area. Elaine Smith, 230 Begier Avenue, said people do not want to buy homes on streets with 2100 cars per day and property values would decline. She said other uses, such as medical offices, should be considered. She said the traffic signals on Estudillo Avenue have never been coordinated. She spoke regarding traffic counts, traffic circles, and the response to the City's survey. She said crime would increase. She said more input is needed. Michelle Berntson, 20 Begier Avenue, said she wrote a letter to the San Leandro Times on this matter, but it was not printed. She said people will take the bus at Walgreen's and walk up Haas. She said she is medically dependent on medicine and rarely needs to use a pharmacy after 6:00 p.m. Michael Jacobowitz, 825 Collier Drive, spoke in favor of the Walgreen's proposal . He said San Leandro is about to lose Costco, and the City needs to send a message that businesses are welcome. He said there are many more undesirable uses than a drug store. He said he lives a few blocks from Payless and it is convenient. He suggested the City Council approve the Application but implement traffic controls. Nick Pappas, 1343 Washington Avenue, said he has a business in the Plaza. He noted he ran a pharmacy in Berkeley for 30 years. He said there are already three pharmacies in the area battling for survival . He said 10,000-15,000 people are needed to support a drug store. Jack Goodrich, Owner of a Business at 680 Bancroft Avenue, spoke in favor of the project. He said he is one of the original members of the North Area Business and Professional Organization. He said he knows how much work goes into developing an area like the North Area, and it has taken a number of years to change the picture of MacArthur Boulevard and Bancroft Avenue. He said Walgreen's will start to change the picture of East 14th Street. •