Letters

Residents want hometown stores, not mega stores

Your recent article [May 17] concerning the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association General Membership meeting gave an impression that the approximately 80 meeting attendees only expressed interest in ensuring a Willow Glen-style architecture for the 15,000-square-foot Long's proposal. Let me set the record straight.

First let me state that the WGNA meeting was not a rally against the Long's proposal. Our goal was to examine how other cities were handling applications to build large retail buildings. Our other goal was to document what our members and others were thinking about this subject. To capture this sentiment we used a questionnaire.

Of the 57 questionnaires turned in, 52 responded "yes" and three responded "no" to the statement "New retail buildings should be of similar size to current stores, not larger." In addition, to the statement of what type of stores the city should encourage for downtown Willow Glen, 52 indicated "unique smaller stores" and 40 indicated "specialty franchises." Only a mere four responded desiring "large general chain stores" like the Long's proposal. The questionnaires and the discussion clearly testified that a large majority of meeting attendees were opposed to big stores like the Long's proposal for downtown Willow Glen.

In addition, to the questionnaire statement indicating that new retail buildings "should have architectural design/features similar to 'hometown' style, not 'shopping center style,' " meeting attendees responded 100 percent in favor, with 57 saying "yes." To the statement "Our city leaders should improve existing regulations to protect downtown Willow Glen's unique 'hometown' store character," 48 said "yes" and four said "no."

The views expressed at the meeting are consistent with the direction contained in a 1984 city study entitled "Downtown Willow Glen Revitalization Strategy Project for Lincoln Avenue Neighborhood Business District" and a companion law, "Downtown Willow Glen Design Policy." Both of these writings lay out in detail that new buildings in downtown should have the look and similar mass of nearby buildings. The city has existing rules that can ensure a hometown style development on Lincoln Avenue. The unanswered question is, will they follow the letter and spirit of these rules?

J. Michael Gonzales
President, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

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