pages: PlanningBoard/2005-10-24.pdf, 6
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PlanningBoard | 2005-10-24 | 6 | 8-B. Planned Development Amendment PDA05-0004 (DG). Presentation to the Planning Board concerning proposed expansion of the South Shore Center. The presentation and discussion will focus on project consistency with existing City economic and retail development plans and policies. The purpose of this meeting is for discussion purposes only. Ms. Eliason noted that the economic consultant was delayed following an airline flight, and suggested that the staff report be heard first. Mr. Garrison summarized the staff report, and noted that the Planning Board wanted additional information on economic impacts and how this project fit into the overall Citywide economic development strategy for retail development. The environmental review was ongoing, including traffic studies and visual simulations. He noted that this presentation would focus on economics, rather than traffic and noise. In response to an inquiry by Ms. Kohlstrand regarding the release of a draft of the environmental review, Mr. Garrison replied that the traffic study must be finalized first, and that preliminary traffic data was sent to Public Works for their review; they submitted comments to the traffic engineer, who would revise his study to incorporate their comments. He expected that a final traffic study would be available in approximately a month; the rest of the environmental study could be completed at that time. If a mitigated negative declaration is the appropriate document, it would be available within a few months; a full EIR would take longer. In response to an inquiry by Mr. Lynch regarding the environment consultant, Mr. Garrison replied that it was Lamphier Gregory; the traffic, noise and air sections were on hold. In response to an inquiry by President Cunningham whether the Economic Development Commission had reviewed this application, Mr. Knopf replied that they had heard a draft presentation the previous Thursday night by Linda Congleton, who was hired by the City to produce a focused analysis of this proposal. The next EDC meeting would be scheduled for November 11; the full presentation would be made at that time. He noted that it was very important to the EDC that existing businesses, retail and commercial uses be supported. He discussed retail opportunities and leakage, and noted that Trader Joe's has become a destination retail space for Alamedans. He reviewed the background of South Shore development and the analysis of retail needs on the western part of the Island. Mr. Lynch noted that he would like the EDC and Development Services to remain open to other types of retail experiences as the City develops its underdeveloped parcels. He noted that sales tax revenues funded public services, and that it was important to maintain a vital and appropriate revenue flow. Mr. Knopf noted that there has been general public concern about big box stores, and added that big boxes historically came about with freestanding stores like Costco, Sam's Club and other minimally staffed warehouses where customer service was not the priority. He noted that this proposal was not a big box, although that term was used in a general way where it did not technically apply. He noted Planning Board Minutes Page 6 October 24, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-10-24.pdf |