pages: CityCouncil/2009-11-17.pdf, 4
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CityCouncil | 2009-11-17 | 4 | Vice Mayor deHaan inquired who requested the appeal, to which the Planning Services Manager responded the Planning Board's approval of the Use Permit was called for review by Councilmember Matarrese. Councilmember Matarrese stated the matter was called for review for several reasons; that he reviewed the two findings made by the Planning Board; his first concern is that the business district has a substantial City investment in the theatre and parking structure a couple blocks down; questioned whether a convenience store is the best option; stated that he believes a convenience store would have a negative affect; the original application was for a convenience store specializing in the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products; the City would be burdened with policing the use; Oakland has a policing fee for such establishments; there is a liquor store down the street and another convenience store a block over; questioned whether the [retail] mix would be added to or something less than beneficial to the ambiance of the street would be proliferated. Councilmember Tam inquired whether the application has been modified because staff has been working with the Applicant to reduce the sale of tobacco products in response to neighborhood concerns, to which the Supervising Planner responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Tam stated neighboring convenient shop owners have concerns regarding potential competition; inquired whether the Planning Board's role is not to control business competition which is a market driven activity. The Planning Services Manager responded the City does not have any guidelines with respect to amounts of particular businesses that can be located in an area; if the convenience store were over one building, the Use Permit would not be needed. Councilmember Tam inquired how many years the building has been vacant, to which the Planner I responded four years. Councilmember Tam inquired how long the other liquor and convenience stores have been in business, to which the Planner I responded a fairly long time. Mayor Johnson inquired which condition is the restriction on the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 November 17, 2009 | CityCouncil/2009-11-17.pdf |