Where does the 15,000-square foot drugstore fit in WG?
Anywhere it wants, apparently; WGNA meets to preserve Avenue's character
By Michele Leung
Approximately 80 local residents showed up at the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association annual meeting on May 10, to say that they want to preserve the quaint and charming character of Lincoln Avenue.
Association president J. Michael Gonzales assembled a panel to lead a discussion on whether downtown should go the route of retail chains, or remain a home for small shops. Chris Carris, owner of the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company, provided an independent merchant's point of view. Jerry Iserson, principal planner with the city of Pleasanton, and Sharon Fierro, community development director with the city of Campbell, explained how their respective cities were developing the downtown areas.
Gonzales said that the meeting was in response to Longs' upcoming move to the Avenue. "This topic was sparked by the application by Longs to build a 15,000-square-foot building," he said.
According to Fierro, also a WGNA board member, Hicklebee's is 3,400 square feet, and the Glen comes in at 5,500 square feet.
Many residents said that they were more concerned with the architectural look of Lincoln and less with who moves in. Preserving the traditional appearance of Willow Glen is paramount for some. "If Kentucky Fried Chicken wants to come to Willow Glen, they should look like Willow Glen. Willow Glen shouldn't look like Kentucky Fried Chicken," said Fierro.
While some feel that Lincoln should be a haven for independent merchants, one resident cautioned against keeping the business district so narrow. "We need a healthy mix of retail and independent business," said Spencer Horowitz. "Ten years ago, this was all local, all small shops and all dead. We need to set architectural guidelines and let the chain stores that want to abide by them move in."
Michelle McGurk, chief of staff for Councilman Frank Fiscalini, announced that Longs has decided to withdraw its application for a conditional use permit for alcohol. Because of this change, Longs will have a public hearing with the planning director instead of the City Council, which will make their application for a site-development permit easier, adds McGurk.
Janice Santos, who lives near the Longs property, is pleased that the Longs will not sell alcohol, but says it was not one of her major concerns. She was more concerned with the size of the building and the traffic the drug store will bring. "I would shop there," she said. "First we need to get them to be a good neighbor, and we'd be happy to welcome them."
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
