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Ms. Tracy stated that they purchased their house four years ago and spoke directly with the Water District about the remediation program, and they were told that the District had plans for that remediation; but the technology changed and they figured out different ways to do it. She suggested that the whole remediation issue be separated completely from the development of that site because that remediation has been in the works with ConocoPhillips and Chevron for some time now and is legally on track to go through regardless of what happens to the site. She stated that the fact that they folded the two together could be a little bit of a bait and switch to try and get the City to buy into something. She stated that it does not make sense to have this project in the neighborhood and asked the Commission not to approve it. Cathy Pasut stated that she lives in the neighborhood and has been in town all her whole life. He stated that she realizes that the applicants are business people who want to enhance their financial position and that nobody begrudges somebody making money. She indicated that she suspected they did due diligence on the return on investment (ROI) of their business; however, as they admitted, they did not do the due diligence of checking with town people. She added that although a proposed 7- Eleven performs and has a good ROI, it does not belong in the Downtown area; it does not agree with the nature and flavor of the City and the nearby neighborhood. She indicated that what the applicants may not have counted on is the very large amount and deluge of opposition that comes with this 7- Eleven. Ms. Pasut stated that she appreciates staff not supporting this application. She indicated that she comes to a lot of these meetings and finds it nice to hear that staff is on task with what the community feels. She stated that they simply do not want a 7- Eleven in their neighborhood. She added that she felt sorry that the applicants spent a year and a half on this project that they will never get back and that they should probably have spent that time on a business that was more in line with the town. She noted that someone who opens up a small business in town would do due diligence to see if that business is needed, warranted, wanted, and would fit in with the Downtown, and that she believes this was not done. She added that this was not well thought -out and collecting signatures was an afterthought. She pointed out that a 7- Eleven does not belong in their neighborhood and that they would like a business that will enhance the neighborhood. John Kimber, Property Manager of Pleasant Plaza Shopping Center across Ray Street from the proposed project, stated that he has carefully reviewed the very detailed staff report and that on behalf of the owners of Pleasant Plaza Shopping Center, they fully agree with staff's recommending denial of this project. He commented that a flyer signed by Mr. Liu had some misrepresentations in it. He noted that it asked for support and indicated that neighbors will not have to be concerned with the taking of business away from similar local businesses. He indicated that the opening of a 24 -hour convenience store at the subject location will definitely negatively impact the sales of nearby businesses, especially Cole's Market and Bob's Burgers within the Pleasant Plaza Shopping Center. He disagreed with a statement on the same flyer that there will be no sale of any alcoholic beverages at the site, so neighbors will not have to be PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2012 Page 16 of 40