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related how they tried to expand their station years ago, but we're denied. He opined that there should be a level playing field for businesses, he feels that small businesses in this City are not met with the same receptiveness Costco is getting, and this should change. He opposes the expansion of gas pumps. David Rogers, representing Costco Wholesale, expressed appreciation and thanks for the earlier postponement of this hearing to tonight. Mr. Rogers and Sonia Hennum, from Kittelson & Associates, Inc., made their presentation (on file) sharing data analysis on the site's situation as compared to 25 other Costcos in the Western United States. The concerns they addressed included: traffic, car queuing times, exiting on Middlefield and the Woodside Road area. They said that trip generation was not correlated to the number of pumps and the traffic volume along Middlefield has not changed significantly since 2006. Public Comment Kathy Soulard, a 35- year resident, spoke against the expansion. She opined that people have choices on where to buy food or gas, but not where they live and that should be protected. She further opined that many people only go to Costco for its gas while others avoid the other businesses there due to the traffic. Steve Kanney, current gas station supervisor for the Redwood City Costco, said they want to provide better service and they believe the expansion will reduce their lines and deal with the current demand. Ronald Freeman opined that it is very stressful with just one exit for the entire shopping center and only two entrances if one is coming Northbound.. He spoke against the expansion and cited concerns about increased congestion and pollution, more fender benders, difficulty finding parking, and he suggested building another gas station at another location. Chip Krug, a resident neighboring Costco, spoke in agreement with an earlier speaker's comments against the expansion because he believes it will cause more traffic. He opined that the language staff used is prejudiced in favor of Costco's proposal and he asked Council to think responsibly by looking out for residents and preventing the degradation of their quality of life as collateral damage for the greater good of others. Tom Linebarger said he used to live in the North Fair Oaks area for over 30 years with his family and it was very polluted due the industry there. He opined that it is time to look at small, local businesses, which are important, rather than larger, big chain businesses that take money out of the community. May Stone held up a hand-drawn map and spoke about the limited options for exiting Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH), which is next door to Costco. This is where one cannot turn left and must go down and bump into Costco traffic. She opined that it is not safe with backups and too many people are running lights and/or wanting to go back towards Woodside Road. She made some other suggestions, asked if Costco could CITY COUNCIL March 11, 2013 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 MINUTE BOOK NO. 64 Page No. 298