There is a common denominator about the “attacks” at Wilsons and the Subways…they both have parking lots in front of their buildings and the buildings are not located up to the street. There is a reason that perpetrators target these types of developments…because there is no one to “see” what is happening in front of these types of developments (single use, single purpose). This is such the case in front of the Jreck Subs and the Rite Aids on Teall…where there are a number of attempted robberies (this can be seen on the SPD site on their crime maps for substantiation). Walkable Eastwood is against this type of development…because of the potential for this type of crime in these so-called “convenience parking lots”.

Also, bars, nail salons, tattoo parlours, pawn shops are uses that are allowed by right under the City Zoning Code, and so, there is nothing that the Walkable Eastwood group can do to stop them from coming in. You give us way too much power.

“Unfortunately it seems my prediction on the Walkable Eastwood site seems to be coming true. I posted that thanks to that groups restricting legitimate businesses from opening and allowing questionable businesses like bars,tattoo parlors,nail salons and pawn shops ( both existing and new ones ) to flourish this group is turning James St into another Butternut St. There have been an increasing number of attacks ( with the latest being last night by Wilson Farms at around 9:30PM). Some have been reported and some have not but the latest one was at the Forrest Hill intersection and at 9:30 was not really late night for Wilson Farms and Subway ( across the street) area. I know I have gone to that Subway that late – I doubt anymore. It seems instead of a “Walkable Eastwood” this group is turning it into a “Muggible Eastwood” and no I am not just talking about Walgreens. If this group keeps up it’s shenanigans and this crime wave increases we just take one of the offers we ( and many neighbors )keep getting from out of state investment groups. If Walkable ( aka Muggible) Eastwood wants to turn Eastwood into the land of the absentee landlords ( see Butternut St/North Side) then we may be forced to oblige. This group reminds me of of a HOA but for businesses and borders on Communism IMHO – I mean – how would you like someone telling you what you can do with YOUR property? “

The effort has never been to prevent Walgreens from opening. The effort has been to force its developer (Guy Hart and HDL) to conform to the zoning guidelines that have been in place for years. This guy already has almost as many zoning variances for that Walgreens as most large shopping centers and malls have… for a 14k sq.ft. building. The latest signage is absurd in placement (in the middle of an intersection (James and Hickok)!) and looks rather silly.

1. The PC likes to hear from “just plain folks,” the kind who show up in their paint-spattered work clothes, heavy work boots, medical uniforms and office attire. Let’s call them the “JPF” for short.
2. The more of these JPF, the more powerful the message.
3. The PC cannot make decisions based on the popularity, or lack thereof, of a waiver request. So actually, numbers of JPF at the meetings can’t count.
4. The JPF actually don’t understand all the legalities, so while their interest is much appreciated, it doesn’t stand a chance against a legal technicality.
5. How the PC votes on a waiver request is very much affected by what the JPF say.
6. If the JPF haven’t come in with new information for the PC to use in figuring out how to vote, or if their information is ill-informed, then the hours they spend at these meetings is all for naught.

I saw the coverage of the meeting and what a low turnout- guess why- because your neighbors don’t want to put up with your abuse. People do care about the neighborhood but not at the cost of abuse. Look at it this way you have been fighting this for 5 years ( didn’t realize it was that long – I caught a guy on there speaking and he said that) so with all your time and effort and money out of your pockets ( yeah right) you won a couple battles but lost the war and Walgreens will be opening and will be a monument to your failure to keep them out. Worse yet any developer that would consider developing here will see this and have 2nd thoughts. I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in- don’t bother with the e-mail as even though it is legit ( despite accusations otherwise) I no longer monitor it. Some complain that I am being harsh – well – I am being a sweetheart compared to the way some of my neighbors speak of you- great job alienating so many of your neighbors!