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7- Eleven brand and about the sale of alcohol. She noted that the sale of alcohol is not <br />just yogurt; it is a change to the conditions that exist today in a commercial <br />neighborhood. He asked Mr. Hirst why the sale of alcohol was not disclosed in the <br />petition that he had spent so much time creating and walking around. <br />Mr. Hirst replied that it probably for the same reason that Safeway does not say that <br />they sell beer and wine when they submit an application. He stated that when someone <br />has a food store, it is pretty common knowledge that you are going to have beer and <br />wine. He added that it is not a big deal and that they are not trying to hide anything. He <br />noted that if the question were ever asked, they would have certainly said so. He <br />pointed out that Mr. Roesbery does not sell beer and wine now, and he does not have a <br />2,000- square -foot foot food store or LED lighting or bike racks now either, and none of <br />those things were mentioned in the petition. <br />Commissioner Allen asked Mr. Hirst why the 7- Eleven was not mentioned. <br />Mr. Hirst replied that he thinks what Commissioner Allen is really asking is why there is <br />a distinct bias against the 7- Eleven brand, and he would turn around and ask why there <br />is a distinct bias against the 7- Eleven brand. <br />Commissioner Allen addressed Mr. Hirst that they were not here to debate but that what <br />she is saying is the fact that he had made a decision on 7- Eleven and people were not <br />informed. <br />Mr. Hirst stated that what made this decision, as was mentioned tonight by many people <br />in the business, is that 7- Eleven is the best operated small food store in the business. <br />He added that 7- Eleven is the gth largest food store retailer in the country. <br />Commissioner Balch inquired if the applicant looked at other providers beyond 7- Eleven <br />and gave them a serious thought. <br />Mr. Hirst said yes. He indicated that Mr. Roesbery had an independent, "unbranded" <br />store for his Antioch gas station, and after serious consideration, he converted it to a <br />7- Eleven. He noted that Mr. Roesbery testified that he was happy with 7- Eleven, and <br />Mr. Weldon talked about the 40 stores he had, including the ones he has built locally in <br />Pleasanton, and he is proud and believes in the 7- Eleven brand. <br />Commissioner Balch asked Mr. Hirst, with the mechanic bays being shut down, what <br />would happen with that area if the application were denied. He added that he <br />understands Mr. Hirst does not have a crystal ball into the future, but it is common to <br />see that certain types of uses such as automotive and dry cleaning have contaminants <br />or other concerns with soil. <br />Mr. Hirst asked Commissioner Balch if he is talking about the future or the past <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 27, 2014 Page 21 of 44 <br />