PC 032812 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ramon Rivas, Applicant, read his statement into the record: "Good evening. My name is Ramon Rivas. I have been in the cash - for -gold business since 2009 when I opened in a location in the City of Newark. Later on, I opened in more locations in the City of Milpitas, City of Miami, and City of San Francisco. This type of business is regulated by the Department of Justice and enforced by the Police Department in the city where the business is located. The way the Police Department enforces the rules on the business is this: every customer must provide us with a valid state ID and be 18 years or older. We are required to fill out a form which includes a right thumb fingerprint from the customer. It is mandatory for us to provide the Police Department with the original copy of this report for them to verify if there is any suspicious activity, stolen jewelry, and double -check if the customer has any record involved. By law, we also have to hold the jewelry we purchase for 30 days. In all these years in buying jewelry, 1 have never got a complaint either from a customer or from the Police Department. We have always complied with all the rules required by law. "Richard Wilcox, who has presented this appeal, is a business partner of Tri- Valley Cash for Gold, which owns cash - for -gold stores, with the nearest store being located inside Stoneridge Mall close to us. Mr. Wilcox is trying to monopolize the business; that is against the country's belief. Mr. Wilcox and I held a conversation at the Mall this past March 1st, 2012, where he proposed that my business will take away business from his. He is trying to manipulate how I handle and advertise my business. Mr. Wilcox has also wanted to make my business stop day by day for six months by appealing approval by the City of Pleasanton. This way, he can disable my business and affect my finances and operations, as I have to pay the lease every month without receiving income in the meantime. "I do not find it lawful or valid to allow this individual and all his businesses to manipulate the system and the Commission in order to benefit himself and disable other businesses from offering the public other choices to pick from where they sell the merchandise. I hope the Commission takes this into consideration that this appeal has a selfish reason behind it, and that Richard Wilcox is only attempting to eliminate any competition in the City of Pleasanton and not to regulate this business. My business has an impeccable record and we are honest and professional people trying to make a living in the area. "Thank you very much for your time, and I hope we can resolve this issue immediately so we can start operating as soon as possible." THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Blank moved to deny the appeal, therefore upholding the Zoning Administrator's determination that gold- buying businesses are similar to jewelry stores, and, therefore, the Zoning Certificate (P12 -0308) was properly issued. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 28, 2012 Page 4 of 33