Dear City Council Members,
I recently received a notification that the 76 Gas Station located at 710 Willow Road has appealed the City Council denial last year to have their convenience store remain open 24 hours a day and to sell beer and wine. I have to express my deepest opposition to both these requests. They applied last year and were unanimously rejected on both requests by the Planning Commission and the City Council. The gas station generates noise and crime, remaining open 24 hours will only exacerbate those problems.
The gas station and convenience store are located in a residential neighborhood and are close to many houses, several of which have young children including the one they share a border with. People visiting the gas station late in the evening have been noisy and caused problems including urinating on private property and yelling. The station has also attracted crime including armed robberies which will only get worse if they remain open 24 hours and sell alcohol. In the neighborhood opposition to these requests last year several issues were cited that impacted the quality of life along with the fact that there is no need for another store to sell alcohol in our area, especially one across the street from the Veterans Administration hospital that has addiction treatment programs. I encourage you to become familiar with the staff report generated last year and the opposition presented by many Willows residents.
There is no need for another store selling alcohol in the area, especially not on that has been cited in the past, I sincerely hope that this application is again rejected.
Best Regards,
Brian Gilmer
