pages: PlanningBoard/2005-10-24.pdf, 7
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PlanningBoard | 2005-10-24 | 7 | that big box stores typically had negative economic and design impacts on the community. The EDC tried to generalize from those two points when significantly large new retail proposals came forth. The two questions surrounding this concern were: Whether it primarily serves the community, and does it meet an unmet need in Alameda. The EDC believed that the shoppers would maintain its existence; it was not desirable for one store to cannibalize the rest of the retail stores. In terms of design, some retailers require large floor plates for their designs, such as new, larger supermarkets. The City wished to craft a policy that is able to respond to changes in the marketplace, and that the retail uses should be pedestrian-friendly. M/S Piziali/Kohlstrand and unanimous to hear Items 9 and 10 before the remainder of Item 8-B. AYES - 6 (Mariani absent); NOES - 0; ABSTAIN - 0 The public hearing was opened. Ms. Linda Congleton, Linda Congleton & Associates, had prepared a focused economic analysis of the Target proposal for South Shore Center. She summarized her background, and presented an extensive PowerPoint presentation of the economic analysis. She noted that a Target would not need to rely on off-Island customers, and that it was an attractive magnet for other retailers. She found that Target's merchandising was compatible with the upscale economic demographic of Alameda. She estimated that Target would generate annual sales of $44-50 million, bringing in sales tax revenues of nearly $500,000 per year; over a ten-year period, approximately $5 million in sales tax revenues would be generated for City services. She noted that Target was not dependent on freeway access, and that the South Shore location was so well-known that the company was confident it would thrive there. She added that Target was very community-oriented, and was a highly philanthropic company. She displayed slides of various Target store designs. President Cunningham noted that more than five speaker slips had been received. M/S McNamara/Piziali and unanimous to limit the speaker times to three minutes. AYES - 6 (Mariani absent); NOES - 0; ABSTAIN - 0 Mr. Jack Easterday, owner, Alameda Care Center, 1150 Ballene Blvd. #210, spoke in support of this application. He believed that Target would be a vitalizing element in South Shore Center. He noted that he had lived next door to a Target in Southern California, and now lives in Alameda. He had reviewed the plans given to him by Target and South Shore, and believed they were positive for Alameda Care. He noted that the Safeway store had become tired-looking, and added that their delivery trucks parked behind his back door. Ms. Joan Ruiz, 2101 Shoreside #145, spoke in opposition to this item, and distributed photos to the Board. She was very concerned about traffic impacts on and off the Island, which was already congested without a Target. She believed that South Shore Center was intended to be a convenience shopping center, and did not believe this was an appropriate use for the area. Planning Board Minutes Page 7 October 24, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-10-24.pdf |