PC 10/14/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

that the City has had meetings with the property owners in regard to the plan and also in regard to parking lot issues. He noted the City will continue to wor with these people. Doris Polaski, 4217 Denker Drive, said she had been the owner of olden Oaks on Main Street for 11 years. She said she is very upset about the reconstructi n of Main Street and felt no one is actually considering the business people. She express concern as to how people would get to her business, as she had no back door or alley. She was opposed to the idea of banks not always being able to remain on Main Street and fe that would be a big mistake. Ms. Polaski concurred with comments that the constructio company should be encouraged to speed up their schedule by offering a bonus for early ompletion and incurring a penalty for late completion. She further stated she is opposed to a ding any more wooden sidewalks as they are hard to walk on, particularly for women with igh heels. Ms. Polaski addressed utility concerns, and what would happen whe service would need to be turned off. She further initiated the idea that assessment fees to d wntown businesses should be eliminated for the year of construction as it will be hard e ough for them to hang on. She said it would not do much good to have a beautiful downto n area, but few businesses who could afford to weather the construction period. She said that May is her busy month and was opposed to complete closure of Main Street at y time. Mr. Higdon responded to Ms. Polaski's concerns about utility shuto s, reiterating that staff will have a coordinator working between the merchants and the cons ction crew to facilitate the matter. He noted that some businesses might have to have their rvice turned off at 6 a.m. or some other time rather than during the daytime hours. He a ded that the City is planning to offer bonuses for early completion of the schedule. Birdi Bianchi, 4329 Railroad Street, said she had no comments to m e, but was turning in a letter from an individual. Gary Schwaegerle, 189 W. Angela Street, stated he cannot support t e retail-only concept and felt they should let the market develop naturally. He suggested at the City consider a press release to attempt to get the community excited about purchasi g such items as heritage benches, etc. so they could take an active part in the refurbishing of owntown. He felt that if people are made aware they would wish to contribute and would so foster good will for downtown. Elisa Randazzo of 1557 Gilbert Place, Fremont, said she has a busin ss at 401 Main Street. She said when she was looking for a business several years ago ther was nothing in her contract about possible downtown construction. She expressed cone rn that closing of Main Street would negatively affect her business and many others. She fe t that one lane could be left open. She was not in favor of mandating retail-only; she was 0 posed to any more wood sidewalks; she supported the cancellation of assessment fees for the ear of construction. Planning Commission Minutes October 14, 1992 Page l2