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News, Sunset Park, Pico Boulevard, Police Department
Planned Walgreens Worrisome to Santa Monica Police
Posted Feb. 15, 2011, 11:54 pm
Parimal M. Rohit / Staff Writer
Plans to build a new Walgreens on the southeast corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Pico Boulevard might be finding opposition from the Santa Monica Police Department.
The new Walgreens is planned to be located across the street from Tommy’s World Famous Burgers. Local law enforcement authorities are concerned the second Walgreens to open within the City of Santa Monica would result in a projected increase of disturbance in the area.
“The Santa Monica Police Department has not taken an official policy on the issue,” said Sgt. Jay Trisler on behalf of the City’s law enforcement agency.
Yet Trisler added that the potential onsite sale of alcohol by Walgreens would be a cause for concern. While the store is required to obtain a conditional use permit from the City to sell alcohol, law enforcement officials are concerned the availability of alcoholic beverages would contribute to the projected increases of disturbances in the immediate vicinity of the store.
Part of the reason for law enforcement’s concern, according to Trisler, is the presence of multiple approved alcohol-selling vendors already within a few blocks of the planned store, including a 7-Eleven, two liquor stores, and another convenience mart. Additionally this alcohol-rich area is home to several rehabilitation and sober living centers.
“Anytime there is the sale of alcohol involved, we pay closer attention to the issue,” Trisler said.
If built, the proposed Walgreens project would reportedly be housed in a 12,041 square foot building and provide up to 30 surface parking spaces.
Several small businesses in the area would have to make way for the new Walgreens, including Family Dental Center, Mexican restaurant Taqueria Chihuahua, The Great Room Reupholstery and Slipcovers, and the Kids Consignment Sale.
Local residents and businesses potentially affected by the planned Walgreens reportedly held a community meeting last November to discuss the impact to the immediate area should the national chain indeed add a second store in Santa Monica.
A completed Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which was released for a 30-day comment period last month, found significant traffic impacts on the nearby intersections would result from the new project and could not be mitigated; the Santa Monica Planning Commission is expected to review the EIR in March.
The only other Walgreens in Santa Monica is on Wilshire Boulevard between 19th and 20th Streets.
Most recently, Walgreens faced a recent obstacle to expansion in West Hollywood, where residents reportedly opposed the retail development due to environment concerns and potentially increased traffic.
Although the police department has not taken an official position on the matter, Officer Mike Boyd addressed the Pico Improvement Organization board meeting on Jan. 5 to talk about the department’s concerns. The official minutes of that meeting describe the address as, “Mike Boyd announced that the SMPD will make a move to dispute the opening of Walgreens at Pico and Lincoln due to the projected increase of disturbances.”
Comments
Feb. 16, 2011, 4:19:15 am
englishsunset said...
Listen
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:32:46 am
wolflen said...
bad idea...that intersection is already one of the worst in the city...vehicles entering/exit from that location will block the already slow flow of traffic and when the high school is in session it will be just awful...and just what the area needs...more alcohol sales...
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:32:47 am
Anonymous said...
The police don't even deserve to comment on the issue. That is not their job. They need to focus on their job and let the community make it's own decisions!!
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:33:03 am
Raul Saenz said...
I attended the November community meeting where Planning Department Staff presented the proposed Walgreens design. To my dismay, not a word was uttered about a traffic mitigation plan that would minimize the adverse impact that our community would suffer as a consequence of increased traffic through our neighborhood. Simple traffic engineering design logic informs one that traffic patterns assume a path of least resistance. The proposed parking lot would provide ingress and egress off of a residential street - Bay St. A commuter familiar with the challenges of getting past the intersection of Pico and Lincoln during peak rush hour traffic knows that a consumer interested in making a purchase at the proposed Walgreens would travel through the residential area to get there – the path of least resistance. The relative peace and tranquility that we now enjoy would be shattered through the shifting of Pico and Lincoln traffic into our neighborhood. This apparently was not considered during the “planning’ stage of this proposed development.
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:50:01 am
Noelle Wright said...
As a resident living at the corner of Grant and Lincoln, I am very concerned about this project as it affects traffic flow and general added congestion. I was out of town during the last meeting. Does anyone know the next step in opposing this plan, if it's even still an option?
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:59:47 am
Raul Saenz said...
To Noelle Wright We are in the process of mobilizing community resistance to this development. Please contact me at raul1saenz@hotmail.com and I will fill you in.
Feb. 16, 2011, 7:27:49 am
M said...
That intersection is allready a train wreck - espci in the summer
Feb. 16, 2011, 7:38:02 am
Concerned resident said...
Re: Walgreens We are neighbors to this development and wanted to say thank you for running an article about it. The building has been designed to encourage locals to hang out on the benches, a tragedy for this area with its high traffic and concentration of transients. The design also puts all ingress and egress from the alley way which will push the traffic into the surrounding residential neighborhood. Apparently the city does not wish to consider the impact of their design specifications on their residents.
Feb. 16, 2011, 7:43:58 am
Tim said...
This project would be a tremendous improvement to the existing business on the Lincoln/Pico intersection. Any doubts,take a look at the Sepulveda bld Manhattan Beach store that opened recently it is state of the art. Liquor sales account for such a minimal percentage of Walgreen sales it is just another excuse to block this much needed development
Feb. 16, 2011, 9:06:54 am
Maria said...
This man Raul mut live on or around Bay St. i guess he forgot that he decided to live off Lincoln Blvd, a fully commercial area.I think if he was looking for peace and tranquility he should of moved to palm Springs. Please "get a life".Walgreens is the best thing that south of the 10 freeway along Lincoln Blvd could happen
Feb. 16, 2011, 10:12:26 am
Noelle said...
I don't think anyone is questioning the 'state of the art' quality of the proposed Walgreens facility. For those of us who live there, however, there is an awareness of tremendous existing congestion of this intersection. And as you can barely throw a rock without hitting a drugstore in SM, I honestly don't think there is a community 'need' here that should override safety.
Feb. 16, 2011, 10:39:22 am
Patricia Carriere said...
I agree with the Santa Monica Police Department. Besides the fact that we do not need another WalGreens in Santa Monica I also think that putting a WalGreens at this location (Pico and Lincoln) will just bring more troubled souls into the area and increase the already heavy traffic through the residential streets. Please reconsider another location other than Santa Monica.
Feb. 16, 2011, 12:27:11 pm
Patrick Bateman said...
Once again, SM standing in the way of progress so that the homeless/drunks that rule the city won't be placed in harms way. Nevermind the fact that they'll just walk an extra two steps to buy liqour somewhere else. Why anyone would try to set up business in the Peoples Rebublic of Santa Monica is beyond me.
Feb. 16, 2011, 3:10:25 pm
Earl Kent said...
I can't believe that after decades of not having any concerns about development suddenly a Walgreens have them concerned. Excuse me but show me one officer that lives in Santa Monica. Where was their concern while the millions of square feet of development, dozens of homeless shelter beds and social prgrams and massive hospital and office projects were erected. Sorry, but when I see even one patrol car providing coverage for my neighborhood I'll care what they think.
Feb. 17, 2011, 2:38:51 am
Beverly said...
Unbelievable....you need only stand at that intersection
Feb. 17, 2011, 4:18:01 am
Bob said...
I totally understand where you are coming from. Why would residents and the City of Santa Monica want a beautiful brand new building in the ugliest part of SM. Why bring in bring in more revenue to the City than the previous busnises. If you didnt want to live in a busy neighborhood then can I suggest Ojai. It shouldnt be up to the residents to decide what happens to this property. I'm sure the owners of the property have worked hard for this and everyone should just mind their own business. Acording to law, the owners can put a strip club or homless shelter at this location without any approval from the city as long as they use the existing building. Now all you brilliant people decide what you want, a strip club or a brand new beautiful Walgreens. This is rediculous and people should mind their own business.
Feb. 17, 2011, 5:50:14 am
Christian Boyce said...
I live within two blocks of the proposed Walgreen's site. Wanted to point out a couple more businesses that would be displaced by Walgreen's: Alba's Hair Salon, where I got my hair cut yesterday, and also the photo place next door to that. Do we really want to trade losing multiple small businesses for one Walgreen's? What would Walgreen's sell that I can't get at 7-11 across the street, or a couple of blocks away at Albertson's? Even if Walgreen's was something that the neighborhood was clamoring for, the fact that the traffic would get worse at Lincoln and Pico and that there is no way to mitigate it makes me wonder why this project is still being considered. Like a lot of people, I would be happy to see this area upgraded in general but I don't think that a drugstore selling alcohol is what any of the locals have in mind.
Feb. 17, 2011, 10:08:14 am
Silly Silly said...
You have got to be kidding me! I thought this article was a comic strip at first. First, since when is Walgreens considered the mean and ugly alcohol empire! Not to mention the police "concerned" of the affect the store will have on our area?? It is a Drug Store, not a Strip Joint! Besides, since when do police live in the city they work at? I can promise you that not a single officer lives any near Santa Monica!
Feb. 17, 2011, 11:00:31 am
Fred Astair said...
Noooooooo, not Taqueria Chihuahua... it's the best mexican food in town :(
Feb. 17, 2011, 11:16:46 am
Kat said...
I would like to point out that the proposed Walgreen's site is the only corner on this intersection that has street facing retail instead of a parking lot and driveway. The sidewalk accessible businesses are not only a great asset to local residents like myself but improve the entire neighborhood's walkability. I live three blocks from this intersection and there is no need yet another drug store here that would surely be designed for cars and not pedestrians. Not only do I live nearby this intersection and frequent a couple of the business likely to be displaced by the proposed development, I was also involved in a bicycle accident last week. Mid block commercial driveways and parking lots increase the likeliness of bicycle, car and pedestrian accidents by adding to congestion and creating another hazard for pedestrians and cyclists.
Feb. 18, 2011, 11:14:05 am
Mr.Matt said...
I read all these comments and have to laugh! First about the writer, did he do his homework, who's to say W/G is even going to sell alcohol. Kat, that's why they put a bike path on the beach, "you should try it." The hair salon and foto store are probably there rent free, as Christan probably was their only customer in the past month. If you drive south down Lincoln you would think you were driving in Mexico....the only difference is at least the street is paved. Bravo we finally found someone that wants to clean up that part of the city....seems like SM has abandoned south of the freeway.
Feb. 18, 2011, 5:30:59 pm
i love Walgreens said...
i love walgreens they stay open 24hours and not all walgreens have 40oz "beer" for sale<<<< when your child is sick and need cure quick wallgreens around the corner pass the hooker but at really close!! or all those kids that need some drugs from samohi bang!!!!! walgreens around the corner or THE PYFC people bang!!! steal some drugs from wallgreens 24hours <<< maybe they should just call it THE GREENS!!!
Feb. 19, 2011, 3:57:51 pm
Rsm said...
This area is way too ghetto to be a part of santa monica. I would like a walgreens there. i walk to that area alot for errands and i hate going out of my way to go to walgreens altho i do b/c walgreens has alot of cool deals on pet supplies. Whatever to the haters. If you are anti gentrification enough to protest a walgreens here, than you have probably never lived in an ungentrified area. this part of santa monica is definitely one of the shadiest (outside of the pier/3rd st area). Why not glam it up? Were the police consulted abt that new bar next to jack jn the box, and if they were, did it matter in the end? Lol
Feb. 21, 2011, 5:40:13 pm
BD said...
Come on now. Since when do the police dictate business. Moreover, there are liquor stores, markets, bars, etc all up and down Lincoln. Lincoln, sorry to say, is the armpit of Santa Monica. Welcome new business, especially clean, nicer ones. Have them police their storefront and parking lot out to the sidewalk. It will help but bring in the business to the City.
Apr. 7, 2011, 12:46:53 pm
Lea said...
What truth in benefit is Wlagreens really going to bring to the community??? NOTHING!!! There are many pharmacies around to the east of Pico, north and south of Lincoln. There is a 7eleven for drinks and markets for less expensive groceries than what Walgreens will sell, plus there is lot's of small food places to buy fresh food from. Truly, what Walgreens will do, is destroy the small family businesses that are in that corner and conflict with traffic, highschool kids, and all the homeless/drinkers that are in the area by buying over the counter drugs and alcohol because Walgreens will make it more accessible. And as for Mr. Matt; it would be great if you would pay the rent for Alba's Salon, La Foto Studio and the rest of the business in that complex, cause with this Walgreens proposal, it has created such a difficult situation with the tenants in terms of not being able to get business. Not considering that the landlords have planed for this situation to happen long time ago cause they are not offering long term leases, and are waiting for the others to expire so then they can lease the land to Walgreens. As it is, no one in those business are going to be compensated for the losses but they will only get a kick in the tush. Opening the door to a large corporation such as Walgreens and destroy families welfare is not the answer to a neighbourhood improvement, it's destroying it. And Mr. Matt, unless you are getting the information from the Landlord that Alba's, La Foto, and the rest are getting free rent then, in that case, who it's taking the money they are paying for rent????, would that be you Mr. Matt??? If so, I guess that is why you should laugh about this injustice, cause for what this concerns you, you are not helping anyone with your comments, you may be stilling their rent payments too aside from preventing business. If anyone is really concern about the neighbourhood, the mom and pop business affected by the landlords of that location and Walgreens, then you should come to each business and ask how they are doing and how much they are affected, not just assume and judge or approve for large corporations to ruin others. So, it would be great if the City of Santa Monica Planning Division would support the small business there and not approve for this injustice. By the way, I live not far from that intersection and do business with Alba's and the others, I can only speak to what I see and have talked to them about this. No one is rent free there, but certainly this has affected their businesses since Walgreens put their proposal on the south/east corner of that building on Pico Blvd. which it has made it more difficult for them to promote their business.