The San Juan Bautista City Council postponed extension of an
urgency measure Tuesday that prohibits any fast-food franchises and
large-scale retail stores within the city limits, but some said the
action hurts the town’s economy.
The San Juan Bautista City Council postponed extension of an urgency measure Tuesday that prohibits any fast-food franchises and large-scale retail stores within the city limits, but some said the action hurts the town’s economy.
City Attorney Patrick Whitnell said the 45-day interim urgency ordinance approved by the Council in December would stay in effect until Feb. 6. The Council could not take action during the meeting because public notice was posted late. Also, Whitnell said public comment was needed.
Council members, who reserved comment, agreed to hear the issue during the Feb. 3 meeting when public comment would be heard and the fate of the ordinance decided.
What prompted the Council to pass the urgency ordinance in December was a lease agreement between proprietors of a Subway sandwich store and Windmill Market Plaza owners to bring the restaurant chain to the plaza.
Resident Jim Pereyra said the Council was making a mistake in enforcing the ordinance because it disrupts the local economy. He also said the Council was abusing its powers of authority.
“We are talking about discriminating against a specific business solely on its name,” Pereyra said.
He said as long as the business meets the city’s signage requirements and other codes it should not be a problem because the location is in the commercial district near Highway 156.
“I know there’s a lot of objections to Subway coming into town, and I would object to it if it was in the historic district,” he said. “But it is not.”
Windmill Market and Plaza co-owner Jim Gibson said he was on vacation when officials passed the urgency ordinance and would have cancelled his plans to address the issue.
“What you guys are doing is taking the rules that you made us abide by and then tearing it up,” said Gibson, warning the Council that it was abusing its powers.
Gibson said he has followed city codes and has lived with the agreement for 10 years.
He said if a franchise was willing to have its logo in redwood “cowboy letters,” then it could become a tenant, much like the Pizza Factory, which does not display its logo.
“That’s what this is all about,” he said.
As a retailer, Gibson said if they can attract motorists from the highway, the city will benefit from more funds.
Dan Mello, Gibson’s partner, agreed it would attract more people downtown, adding that when he was downtown recently it looked closed, with the exception of a few restaurants.
“There’s nothing going on down there,” he said. “It’s like a ghost town.”
Slow-growth advocate Rebecca McGovern said residents do not want the pizza business, and “We don’t want a Subway, either.”
Resident Cara Vonk urged city officials to adopt the ordinance as did resident James Dulin, saying he moved to the area because of the ambiance and liked San Juan’s downtown atmosphere the way it was.
“I love the ‘ghost town’ atmosphere,” he said. “That’s why I’m here.”
Former Councilman John Hopper said he appreciated the Council’s courage to deal with a difficult issue.
“I don’t know how you are doing it,” he said. “But it seems borderline abusive of authority.”
