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From: jumpforjoy@earthlink.net
Subject: Info on Town Center Appeal from Debbie Rankin
Date: April 20, 2004 6:04:06 PM PDT
To: info@gomilpitas.com

Hi Ann,

I enjoyed our talk last week very much! I'm sending you the letter that we attached to the appeal of the town center redevelopment plans. You are welcome to reprint it if you'd like. We heard from Armando Gomez today, and Wiley was interviewed by the Milpitas Post today, so there probably will be another article about it in Thursday's paper. I've not heard from the radio station, 107.7 the Bone, for what it's worth. The main thing again is for the citizens of Milpitas to be active about this, especially in coming to the City Council meeting May 4 at 7:00pm at the City Hall. It they cannot make it that night they should express their opinions by calling, writing or emailing the city council members and stating that they will not be in attendance but this is what they think.

You asked about the process of filing an appeal. It was actually quite simple. If there is a decision made, in this case by the planning commission, with which one is dissatisfied, it may be appealed to the City Council. The City Council will then set up a date at which time the public is open to give input to them regarding the issue which has been appealed. Once the City Council has made its decision, it is final.

One simply fills out an appeal application with the City Clerk on the 3rd floor of the Milpitas City Hall building. There is a fee for filing, which at present is $100.00, payable at time of filing. We were also advised that one can turn in a letter to the City Clerk stating the following: name and address, the relief one seeks (in this case, a public hearing by the City Council) and the reasons for filing the appeal.

I hope this is helpful to you. I look forward to meeting you in person on May 4!

- Debbie

The following is the letter we included with the appeal:

April 5, 2004

Attention: Milpitas City Clerk's Office
Milpitas City Hall, 3rd Floor
Milpitas, CA 95035

Re: Appeal of the Town Center Development Plan

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are appealing the decision made on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, by the Milpitas City Planning Commission regarding the plans for redeveloping the town center.

Our names and address are listed above as required.

The specific relief that we seek: we request that the Milpitas City Council hold a hearing on this project within the next 60 days for the public to be allowed to give further input into the future of the town center.

We have some heartfelt concerns regarding the Milpitas Town Center Plans. They are the following:

1) We do not believe that it is wise to bring another large super market in to this area. Safeway is a respected company, but their mega-store plan is not what is needed there. In the immediate vicinity is Albertson's, Save Mart and Ocean Supermarket. One mile North is Nob Hill at Arizona and Jacklin. Lion's Market is approximately 2 miles North on Milpitas Blvd. There are a total of 7 major supermarkets in the immediate area already.

We are concerned that a Safeway megastore will have very adverse affects on several of the supermarkets in the area, Save Mart and Nob Hill in particular. Nob Hill is the anchor for the corner of Jacklin and Arizona. Competition if fine, and to be desired, but we see a problem where more supermarkets in this area could not be be reasonably sustained. We believe it would be wiser to find commercial enterprises that offer new options to the public and that do not threaten the health of already existing businesses. The public does not have a need for yet another supermarket in this area.

2) We also are disappointed in the plan to remove the Cinema Saver Theaters. The Cinema Saver provides inexpensive entertainment for individuals and families, something that is valuable in this time of tight budgets and economic needs. This is unique to the area, and offers a much less expensive alternative to the major movie theater chains, such as the Century theaters at the Great Mall.

3) We would like also to question whether it is wise from a population density standpoint to build more housing in that area. We trust the planning commission will seriously study what the impact of more families with their needs for services, cars and all would be. Quality of life is affected when an area becomes too densely populated. As the concentration of housing increases, the need for public space also increases.

4) We believe that it is possible to come up with a truly innovative and far-reaching plan to make the town center a gathering place for the citizens of Milpitas, and the surrounding area. Such a plan could add to the local neighborhoods' economy rather than drain it. For example, we see lively areas in other communities nearby, such as Castro Street in Mountain View.

We agree with what city planning commission member Al Garcia stated in the Milpitas Post, April 1, 2004 edition: "I am not convinced this meets the spirit or the letter of the General Plan. I am very concerned about the quality of life in the city of Milpitas."

We respectfully submit this letter of appeal, along with the required fee .

Cordially,

Wiley Rankin and Deborah Rankin

____________________________________________________
Wiley Rankin
Jump for Joy Music
PO Box 51803
Palo Alto CA 94303
Phone: 408 496 9404
Fax: 408 263 8119