Minutes 1994 0718 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - July 18, 1994 Page - 20 - PUBLIC HEARINGS, (continued) Mark Rogers, owner of business at 645 East 14th Street, said on June 6th, he stated the support of the Chamber of Commerce provided the concerns of the neighborhood were met. He said there are a number of vacant business which creates neighborhood blight, crime, and lower property values. He said healthy, vibrant businesses lead to the health of the community. Ellen Geis, Cary Drive, speaking on her own behalf, said she is ashamed homeowner's associations do not support the people in their area, particularly those on streets which are part of the Estudillo Homeowners area. She said increased traffic decreases property values. She said there are enough drugstores in San Leandro for people to patronize. Francois Gallo, said he spoke to a Oakland police officer regarding the Walgreen's in Oakland who said Walgreen's creates panhandling, shoplifting and other crimes. He said the officer said stand-alone stores create blight and are a haven for the homeless and transients after other stores close, and will run down the area. He said no consideration is being given to small businesses on East 14th Street who will lose business. Lisa LaFave-Cysewski , 337 Woodland Park, said the City Council was voted in on a promise of listening to the voice of the people. She said they must listen the most to those who will be affected the most. She said this proposal will result in increased traffic, crime, trash and graffiti . She said the only acceptable solution is to close Haas Avenue, prohibit the sale of alcohol , and close the store at 10:00 p.m. Ms. T. Gallo, said staff should have prepared an EIR on the project, and prepared feasible alternatives to the project. She said the project file is kept on a tight leash by the Planning staff. She said Walgreen's sent a letter to the residents saying they were coming to town before the City Council Meeting was even held. She said, if necessary, people will go to court to get a fair deal . She said the City Council should protect the interests of the people. There being no further comments from the public, on motion of Council Member Galvan, seconded by Council Member Loeffler, and carried unanimously, the Public Hearing was closed. Each of the Council Members discussed their position on the proposal . Council Member Myers said this was a land-use issue. He said the City Council shows that it is listening to the neighborhood through the imposition of conditions on projects. He said he was in favor of building Walgreen's with conditions, including 10:00 p.m. closing time, no alcoholic beverage sales, and traffic mitigation, including traffic signals, but not the closure of Haas Avenue.