PC 10/14/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

come in, that this would make it extremely difficult for the property wners to survive. She felt that even with the 90-day period to attempt to rent to a retail bus ness it was too stringent. She thought that they should simply let the market nature e its course, but still encourage retail in the downtown. Roy Moret, 129 Sand Wedge, Walnut Creek, stated he owns the Las Polares building at 739 Main Street. He came into the building two years ago and started w th ten tenants; shortly after he had only five tenants. He said it is a financial burden when is happens and is concerned that this would adversely affect the downtown if the retail only concept for first floor is mandated. He personally would be at great risk. He stated e came to downtown Pleasanton 20 years ago when a person was not told what kind of bu inesses they could have. He felt it should go back to that. He concluded that he did not thin the businesses should have such obstacles to surmount to sustain themselves. Betty Arneson, 300 and 310 Main Street, represented Hong Tong C mpany. She expressed concern in regard to ingress and egress of side street businesses and ther businesses if any of the streets are totally closed for four to six weeks at a time. She elt that at least one lane could remain open at all times. She was particularly concerned that eal and Abbie Streets would be closed, and said that she would be very opposed to that. he wished to make it clear that a good number of downtown business merchants are oppo ed to total street closure of Main Street and certain other streets. She thanked the Commissi n and staff for their consideration. Al Bronzini, 719 Main Street, stated he owns a furniture store at th address. He expressed concern for those businesses that might experience street closure for three to four weeks or more. He urged that the City explore all avenues they can to see if hey might keep at least a portion of Main Street open for traffic. He noted that other busin sses have not asked him to speak for them, but that he is speaking on his own initiative. He stated that he is totally opposed to retail-only on first floors and id not think that it is the City's right to put this into action if people are protesting it. He fel that the market will determine what would be successful downtown and that a mandate "ctating what can or can not be put in would have a negative impact on all the businesses. e said he knows a lot about negative cash-flow when a building is vacant and waiting for tenant. To retain a property until an ideal tenant is found is very difficult in these econ mic times. He stated that when he purchased his property in 1984, there were no restricti ns or mandates as to what kind of business he could put in. If there would have been, h said he would not have purchased in Pleasanton. Mr. Bronzini referred to Item 46 in regard to promotion and marke "ng of downtown before and during reconstruction. He stated in his opinion it is vital for th health of the businesses that this take place. Planning Commission Minutes October 14, 1992 Page 10