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Session 1258, Minutes Page 3 Septamber 22, 1980 PAWNBROKER'S LICENSE APPLICATION The City Manager said the City had received an application from the Light Loan Co. to operate as a pawnbroker at 6269 Delmar Blvd. The application was reviewed by the Police and Planning Departments and it meets all City requirements. Several City staff members and representatives of the Delmar Loop business community have expressed concern over the possible locating of this type of business in that area. Ms Sine Buddenhagan, 7415 Wayne, asked to address the Council. Ms Buddenhagan said she was opposed to the opening of a pawnshop in University City, and in addition, she wished to use that space to open acombination bakery-coffee shop. There is a need for such a facility ~n that location, and it would be more compatible with the businesses that are already there. Mr. Roger Goldman, 6312 Washington, asked to address the Council. Mr. Goldman quoted from several decisions of the Missouri Supreme Court which delineated how pawnshops are to be regulated. He was against a pawnshop locating on Delmar, and said a bakery in that location was much more desirable. Mr. Robert A. Spencer, 6353 Washington, president of the Parkview Agents, asked to address the Council. Mro Spencer said the agents are unanimously opposed to the opening of a pawnshop at 6269 Delmar, feeling it would not be in the best interests of the neighborhood. Ms Sharon Perry, 6320 Washington, asked to address the Council. Ms Perry presented a petition with more than 60 signatures in opposition to the opening of a pawnshop on Delmar to' the City Clerk. Ms Perry said she was personally opposed to the appli- cation because of safety reasons, because there are Washington University students living above the store where the pawnshop wishes to locate, and because of the many elderly people living in the neighborhood who might be bothered by the pawnshop's clientele. She also felt it might be harmful to the sther businesses located there, and that it does not serve the adjacent neighborhood, as a coffee shop, bakery or hobby shop would. Dr. George Wilner, 6318'Washington, asked to address the Council. Dr. Wilner said his family chose to live in University City because they enjoy the urban neighbor- hood atmosphere, but he has also seen how neighborhoods can deteriorate, and feels the location of a pawnshop in his neighborhood might contribute to that deteriora- tion. He said he would vastly prefer a bakery or hobby shop. Mr. Bernard J. Mellman, representing the applicant, Mr. Martin Light, asked to ad- dress the Council. Mr. Mellman said none of the speakers had addressed themselves to the ability of Mr. Light to successfully run a business of this type as part of the University City community. Mr. Mellman said Mr. Light was eminently qualified and worthy of the Council's consideration to become a pawnbroker in University City, as he had worked for a considerable length of time in his father's business in St. Louis. He said the business would be an asset to University City. Mr. Martin Light, 330 Branchport, Chesterfield, came forward to answer questions. Mr. Adams asked why he wished to locate in this particular area, and Mr. Light said there was a lot of activity and traffic in the area, and it is also centrally lo- cated and can draw from a large area. Mr. Adams asked Mr. Light tf he perceived a