PC 031912 - Laserfiche WebLink

somebody has the job making boxes that the dresses go in. He stated that the importance of this in this economy is paramount. He thanked the Commission for its decision and hoped that there will be more decisions like this in the future. Sharrell Michelotti stated that she had the privilege of serving both on the Planning Commission and the City Council in the City of Pleasanton and that she is here to support the people of Pleasanton. She told the Commissioners that their job, after reading the staff report, is very simple, as this is a permitted use; and so she wants to support them in their decision to deny this appeal, to be open to all the residents who are here to support this, to the businesses who need it, and to the people of Pleasanton who deserve it. She stated that WalMart has followed the rules and has done everything that needed to be done to be in compliance with Mr. Dolan's decision. She asked the Commission to uphold the original decision and welcome WalMart and allow it to move forward. She thanked the people for coming out and supporting this Pleasanton issue. Pat Mayo stated that he lives about a block away from the shopping center and that he used to send his kids there to get milk, but he cannot send them across Santa Rita Road which has gotten insane. He indicated that it is time to get this done as the neighborhood needs a grocery store there. He added that anybody who says that WalMart is evil should see the posting that Apple just made on its money going off shore, but he carries an I- Phone. He asked the people to get real; they need a grocery store in the neighborhood. Brad Hirst stated that he is present to support the staff recommendation. He indicated that he is not a WalMart customer and is not a huge WalMart fan; but he is a fan of customer benefits for the community of Pleasanton. He stated that he knows quite a bit about neighborhood retailing, shopping centers, and traffic circulation, and by every aspect, this is a win - win -win. He addressed the walkability of this particular application, noting that it will be easy, as pointed out by a previous speaker, to have young people and adults walk from the condominium project across the street and from the two apartment complexes just outside Hacienda Business Park. He added that it would not be easy to walk up to Fresh & Easy or 99 Ranch and asked where the opposition against Fresh & Easy and 99 Ranch is. He noted that this is a much better location for all of the neighborhood residents, for people who live east of Santa Rita Road off of Stoneridge Drive; it will be a very easy in- and -out. He added that his wife asked him if this would be opposed in Pleasanton if this were a Whole Foods, and he did not think that would be the case. He asked the Commission to support staff's recommendation. Bill Fazakerly stated that he has lived in Pleasanton for 50 years, next to Raley's Supermarket. He indicated that he thinks he will probably continue to shop there but that this is a win -win for the residents around that neighborhood. He noted that he was expecting some opposition tonight but that it sounds like he will just add his voice to all the people who are supporting the Commission and the decision it has already made. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 19, 2012 Page 7 of 15