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403 <br />Downtown Area Specific Study, now underway, to include compilation of data <br />necessary to exercise a most informed judgement as to the long term impact of <br />this policy on the community, and to complete the study within six months so <br />as not to unreasonably delay a decision for those parties with pending <br />interests. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gene Finch, President of the Downtown Association, stated his group <br />had met with the applicant and have sympathy for their position but it is the <br />position of the Downtown Association that the banking location policy remain <br />intact, at least until the feasibility study is completed. He felt the study <br />should be done as soon as possible so that future applicants for banks will <br />have a better understanding of the resolution. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ralph Arbeloa, President of Amador Valley Savings and Loan Associa- <br />tion, presented his letter sent to Council on December 31, 1986, expressing <br />objection to a conditional use permit being issued to allow for a bank in an <br />existing building not in compliance with City Council Resolution No. 73-34, <br />banking location policy. He advised his bank had to comply with this regula- <br />tion in October 1986 for their new branch office at 1711 Santa Rita Road. In <br />theory, if Amador wished to close its Main Street office it would also have to <br />close all branch offices and cease to exist in Pleasanton, which he felt was a <br />ridiculous situation. He urged Council to reject the proposed application and <br />reaffirm it banking location policy, which he felt would be in the best inter- <br />ests of the downtown area and the community now and in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Geoff Etnire, 4322 Fairlands Drive, President of the Chamber of Com- <br />merce, stated he felt a six to eight month delay until after completion of the <br />Downtown Study would not cause any risk and would allow Council a choice in <br />determining future policy for banking institutions. He stated the possibility <br />of financial firms moving out of the downtown area underscores the need for <br />the policy. He advised Bank of Pleasanton unanimously supports the present <br />policy as well as the Bank of America. <br /> <br /> Mr. Levine rebutted the opponents by stating that he would prefer Council <br />consider banking applications on a case by case basis, which would still allow <br />them control. He stated there is nothing to lose by allowing Security Pacific <br />Bank to locate in ~eyer Business Park, and a lot to gain. He stated a six <br />month delay is too long and he did not feel the proposed study would reveal <br />any new information. He urged Council to make a decision tonight. <br /> <br /> There being no further testimony, Vice Mayor Mohr declared the public <br />hearing closed on this item. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Butler stated that this City Council and previous Councils <br />have always been supportive of the downtown, but we have to look at where the <br />City is now. The policy has obviously worked and it is important to maintain <br />a mix of uses in the downtown. He stated that at this point he did not see a <br />substantial risk at looking at a case by case modification to the policy. He <br />stated that if Council had foreseen the level of business parks at the time <br />the policy was formed business parks might have been included. Councilmember <br />Butler stated he is supportive of considering financial institutions on a case <br />by case basis as well as it applying only to business parks; Council would be <br />able to look later to see if there is any harm of banking in a business park. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Wilson stated the policy has worked to date and he did not <br />feel it should be changed. Developers and property owners have invested <br /> <br /> 7 - 2-3-87 <br /> <br /> <br />