WATSONVILLE — Citing parking concerns and proliferation of thrift stores in the area, the Watsonville Planning Commission denied a proposal for a new secondhand store in downtown Tuesday.
Gilroy-based church Una Luz En La Ciudad proposed to open a thrift store in a vacant space on 10 Alexander St. Revenue from the store was planned to help fund the church, according to Principal Planner Justin Meek.
The item was originally set for consideration at the commission’s July 18 meeting, but the commissioners postponed the decision as they sought more information from the applicant, such as a comprehensive business plan.
Although Sylvia Gallegos, pastor of Una Luz En La Ciudad, gave a presentation on the thrift store during the July meeting, there were no representatives of the church present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Meek said he reached out to the church asking for a response to the questions the commissioners had, as well as notifying them of the next meeting, but had not heard back as of Tuesday.
He added that the project doesn’t meet the city’s parking requirements, and city officials also received complaints from a neighboring business about parking issues.
During July’s meeting, Gallegos said a majority of the customers would not need parking, as she observed most of the people downtown have walked to visit nearby locations such as the Watsonville Plaza and Plaza Vigil.
Meek noted that the area already has two secondhand stores within 700 feet: Goodwill and Stop & Shop Family Bargain Center. Also, Teen Challenge Monterey Bay sells secondhand items on nearby Brennan Street.
“Thrift stores do not provide any sales tax benefit for the community, and arguably are not part of the vision for revitalizing that part of downtown,” he said.
City Councilman Jimmy Dutra, speaking during the public comment period, said residents want to see downtown moving in a “positive direction.”
“They do not want another secondhand store, they do not want another 99-cent store,” he said. “We need to respond to what the people in the community want.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved a proposal by EKB Partners to add a delicatessen, recreation space and other retail spots to its project on 45 Aviation Way.
Earlier this year, the commission approved a restaurant and bar for the site. Shortly after, Beer Thirty was announced as one of the tenants in the development, dubbed “The Hangar.”
