PC 032713 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. McFarlane stated that he just does not see any good about this project. He indicated that just the fact that it has contamination in the ground already depreciates his real estate, and as far as he is concerned, he came to Pleasanton and brought his family here because of the great place they live in, and the contamination was not part of the disclosure when he bought the house. He added that this project would reduce his property value even further, and this is something he wants to protect now that he is living here, that his real estate does not depreciate because of something that is going to impact him. He indicated that this is a no -win situation for him with more traffic, more people, and the hours of operation, and just wants to categorically say that he does not want this to be approved. Rocio Arango stated that she does not really see that many changes to this request aside from the facility changes. She showed the Commissioners a picture she took of the gas station from her home to demonstrate how close she lives to the station. She indicated that she is a good neighbor and that they have an HOA that is very strict that it even invited her to a meeting because she has not painted her house within the one year limit. She indicated that she wants her house values to be maintained and having a bigger gas station would hurt that. Ms. Arango stated that her biggest concern is the neighborhood and mentioned some of the problems she currently encounters as a neighbor of the gas station: poor appearance of the area as the location is poorly maintained; lack of privacy as there is no wall or trees on the location; awful lighting system that is on all night and which she wonder if it is actually illegal to use that lighting system; and gas delivery in the middle of the night that is just way too loud. She stated that the gas station is not a good neighbor as far as maintenance is concerned: the fence is very poorly maintained; people's trash such as bottles, wrappers, and things like that are over the run way across from where the gas pipeline is; pumps that do not work on a regular basis; the air hose does not work either and has been broken for a long time; and the bathroom is in really bad shape and poorly maintained. She indicated that she lives in a nice complex where the maintenance keeps them all in line to keep the place attractive, and as a neighbor, she also wants to protect the area to be as calm and safe as possible. Ms. Arango stated that her biggest issue is a lot of traffic, which is probably the reason for building this convenience store. She noted that most of the traffic is students going back and forth to school, and the schools have already removed junk food soda and vending machines. She indicated that there are pockets in Pleasanton that have a very high population with students walking from Amador, Pleasanton Middle School, and Valley View Elementary School, and students from low- income families who live near the area visit the students and will be in danger of falling into alcohol and drugs. She stated that she believes this store really puts these children at risk. She noted that there are already several small and owner - operated convenience stores and markets, and the neighborhood does not need another convenient store when there is already one half -a -block away and a little Mexican market a block away. She added that the other gas station across the street also has a convenience store. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 27, 2013 Page 10 of 48