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Negotiations between drug store and neighbors ready to wrap up
Neighbor association says list of concessions from Longs Drugs is almost good enough
By Chantal Lamers
While Longs Drugs officials still have their eyes on the vacant bank building on Lincoln and Brace avenues, they're also putting their minds to work, doing what it takes to please the local community.
Following a neighborhood meeting on June 27, Longs proposed a list of commitments to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and neighbors in the area.
WGNA President J. Michael Gonzales says that while the list looks good, there is still room for improvement. Gonzales says some of the commitments are vague, and WGNA would like them clarified. He says if Longs wants to become a neighbor, then they need to communicate.
The list of commitments to neighbors and Lincoln Avenue business owners was written in response to complaints and worries of what might happen once the drug store opens its doors. Glenites want to make sure that Longs is a good neighbor when it opens. They also want to have some assurance that Longs will remain a good neighbor five or 10 years down the road.
The letter to WGNA offers 19 commitments to Willow Glen. Among the commitments are hours of operation, deliveries, construction and gardening. Also addressed in the letter are commitments about parking, shopping carts and landscaping.
George Ramstad, the company's architect, says Longs feels the negotiation process with the neighborhood is complete.
"We have been talking for nine months," he says. "We have heard all of the neighborhood concerns. We've addressed as many of them as we can. Of course, nothing is over until it is over and if a new concern is discovered we will be happy to discuss it," Ramstad says.
Longs has agreed to hold a community meeting six months after the store opens, so residents can discuss any traffic problems that may have arisen. Gonzales would like Longs to hold that meeting one year after the store opens. Gonzales believes there will be a good sense of traffic by then.
Longs says the store will have a store manager accessible to the neighborhood. Gonzales wants Longs to agree to hold a neighborhood meeting six months after the store opens, giving neighbors an opportunity to address problems.
In response to earlier complaints from WGNA, Longs dropped its application to the city for alcohol sales.
Longs also agreed to work with the Willow Woods Homeowners Association, which represents residents of a condominium complex behind the proposed store. Longs told that group that it would extend the height of the existing wall between the two properties by three feet. Along the wall, Longs will install trees and an irrigation system.
Other terms Longs has agreed to include: limiting hours to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; hours of delivery will be restricted to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; hours of gardening will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; and Longs will limit the hours of noise-generating construction from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Other conditions Longs agreed to include locating dumpsters away from condominiums; installing a shopping cart anti-theft system that will prevent carts from leaving Longs' property; installing a nonilluminated Longs sign facing the rear parking lot; and posting a sign in the receiving area that trucks are required to turn off their engines while unloading.
Ramstad says Longs doesn't plan to have any more neighborhood meetings before the store opens.
"We have met twice with WGNA, once with the Willow Glen Business [and Professional] Association, twice with the general neighborhood, and once with the Willow Wood Homeowners Association," Ramstad says. "I believe we have addressed the neighborhood concerns. It is time to move forward and complete the city process."
Carol Hamilton, senior planner for San Jose City planning commission, says Longs has done a good job working with neighbors. "When neighbors are involved, that's more apt to happen," Hamilton says.
Hamilton says the planning commission will probably hold a hearing on Longs in late August or early September.
For a list of Longs Drug Store commitments, visit the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association website at www.wgna.net.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
