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Walgreens gets commission's approval |
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Written by John Saiz and Jonathan Partridge / Patterson Irrigator /
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Saturday, 29 September 2007 |
“I wanted to see something more unique.”
— Elias Funez
Planning commissioner, on the layout of a proposed shopping center
A large retail development planned for the northeast corner of Sperry and Ward avenues received approval from Patterson’s Planning Commission Thursday night.
The 36.5-acre center still needs the City Council’s OK before construction begins. If plans are approved as is, there would be 28 stores at the center when it’s complete. But so far, Walgreens Drugs is the only confirmed tenant, according to developers.
If the council approves the project, Walgreens would be built in short order.
West Las Palmas, Sperry and Ward avenues and South Ninth Street would border the development. The largest building would be 127,000 square feet, which could house businesses such as a Lowe’s home improvement store or Borders bookstore, developers said.
However, the plans could be reworked. The commission suggested adding a buffer, such as open space or new housing, between the shopping center and existing housing at Ninth Street and Sperry Avenue.
Commissioner Elias Funez suggested the buffer and was the most critical of the project.
“I wanted to see something more unique,” Funez said.
Until the possibility of adding a buffer was included in the plans, Funez opted not to vote in favor of the project. Afterward, it managed to pass on a 3-0 vote.
Several people who live close to the project attended the meeting to voice their concerns. Galloway MacMaster said he would like to see some housing at Ninth Street and Ward Avenue to buffer his neighborhood from the shopping center.
Others were concerned about traffic.
“You’re talking about a large, large project,” area resident Chris Nunemaker said. “You’re going to make Ninth Street a runway.”
His concerns centered around a driveway from Ninth Street into the project. The driveway is intended to be used by trucks servicing the stores, but residents and the commissioners suspect shoppers would take advantage of the entryway.
“I don’t care how many signs you put up, people will eventually use it,” Commissioner Duvahn Ferreria said.
The commission suggested that the plans be changed to deter customers from using the Ninth Street entrance.
Several people also spoke in support of the project. They talked about the need for the stable source of tax revenue that they expect a commercial development would create. They also said the Walgreens would be good competition for a Longs Drugs store that will open close to the southwest corner of Sperry and Ward avenues.
This is the second time the commission has reviewed the development. In April 2006, it rejected the project because developers only submitted plans for the 2.29-acre site where the Walgreens would be. Commissioners wanted the entire 36.5 acres planed before they approved any project.
A date has not been scheduled for when the project will go before the City Council.
In other commission matters:
The commission delayed accepting or rejecting an environmental document stating that a proposed city well close to Orange and Sycamore avenues would not significantly impact the area. Several people who live close to the proposed site voiced concerns about the city’s well interfering with their wells. The commission decided to address the issue Oct. 11 when its water expert would be available.
To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at
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