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concerned with the increase of crime or solicitation at night. He noted that any new <br />24 -hour convenience store will certainly attract an element not otherwise present in the <br />area, including gangs or groups of persons up to no good who will carry their own <br />alcohol, guns, and knives. He further noted how easy is it today to send out a message <br />on Twitter to gather at the new 24 -hour 7- Eleven store at First and Ray Streets, to bring <br />their own stuff and hang out there or across the street at the tables and benches at <br />Bob's Burgers. He also disagreed with the flyer's statement that this new 7- Eleven <br />store will provide many job opportunities, as the application mentions that there will be <br />one full -time and one part-time employee for the store and no employee at the gas <br />pumps. He indicated that opening a convenience store at that location is completely <br />inappropriate and urged the Commission to deny the application based on his <br />comments and more importantly, on the negative staff recommendations as clearly <br />outlined and justified in a detailed and objective report. <br />Acting Chair Blank directed staff to get a copy of the flyer for the record. <br />Jim Clennon stated that Mr. Kimber has mentioned his points so he does not have to <br />make too many more of them. He called special attention to the staff report that <br />indicates how many police service calls are made to the 76 and how many service calls <br />are made to the 7- Elevens and the calls marked as the only convenience stores. He <br />stated that they do not need any more of that on their street. He noted that her <br />daughter walks that street every night with their dog, and he does not want her to be in <br />danger; she does not need this kind of problem. He stated that they have had broken <br />promises from staff before, and they are currently fighting the call center and the new <br />commercial building on Ray Street where they put too many people in there for the size <br />of that building and now their neighborhood is impacted. He indicated that he does not <br />want to see their neighborhood impacted again and that if the Commission stops it right <br />here, right now, they will not have that problem. <br />John Johnson stated that he has been a resident of this neighborhood for 30 years, has <br />raised his son here, and is raising his two grandchildren here. He indicated that he has <br />known the owners of Cole's Market, Bob's Burgers, and Cosmo's for the same amount <br />of time and has seen them from their worst to their best. He noted that right about now, <br />with the vigilance of all neighbors, the communication, the outlook that they have for <br />their neighbors, themselves, the community, and the businesses, this 7- Eleven would <br />not be good there, as many people have said, because of the loitering and the traffic it <br />will bring. He indicated that something more tasteful for the community and area is a <br />much better choice for everybody involved. <br />David Nagler stated that they live in the area and that no one denies that this will <br />probably be a very successful business to be on this corner. He expressed appreciation <br />for the time and effort that the developer and owner have put in to develop a <br />profit- making enterprise; however, because that much time has gone into it is clearly a <br />function of trying to do business and is not a justification for proceeding. He noted that <br />the question before this Planning Commission, as has been the case of Planning <br />Commissions before them, is how Pleasanton maintains itself and its personality and its <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 12, 2012 Page 17 of 40 <br />