pages: PlanningBoard/2007-10-22.pdf, 7
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PlanningBoard | 2007-10-22 | 7 | "big box" store. The Zoning Code would be further amended to require that the use permit be amended for a large format retail store, in addition to the standard use permit conditions. In that case, the key issues could be addressed in terms of its design, operations and the issue of sale leakage. He noted that this was a new presentation, and that there had not been any community feedback at this point. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Karen Bay noted that she was speaking as an Alameda resident, and was looking forward to the workshop, which she believed was very timely. She supported amending the Zoning Code to define and address large format retail stores, and supported the requirement of a use permit for all large format retail store. She believed the City's retail policy needed some updating because so much had changed since 2004. She believed that the City had more clarity and understanding about the retail development process since then. She had reviewed the DDA as it related to the Alameda Landing project as approved, and believed that the City had approved a lifestyle center, not a hybrid center, and believed the wording should be changed to reflect that. She suggested that the term "lifestyle center" be defined. The public hearing was closed for Board discussion. Mr. Thomas requested the Planning Board's thoughts on the definition, as well as the idea of requiring a conditional use permit. He noted that there were many people who would be interested in looking at a prohibition on stores over a certain size. He noted that the issues of stopping sales leakage and historic buildings were of concern to the community; he noted that the Del Monte building had been a centerpiece of that debate. Mr. Thomas noted that care should be taken in the definitions and prohibitions, and added that there were many in the community who would like a "big box" prohibition. He noted that it would not be possible to write a zoning ordinance that prohibited a particular retailer, and that naming certain retailers as acceptable, and others as unacceptable, would not be appropriate. Member Lynch complimented staff on tackling this complex issue very well. He cautioned against reinventing the wheel, and did not want any legal troubles to result. He noted that different ordinances did not need to be created, and that the Planning Board had the authority to deny a permit. He believed this issue had been over-complicated, and that the use of the conditional use permit process would generally be adequate. He preferred to defer to the Economic Development Commission and the previous Boards, which already had an excellent strategic plan for Alameda. Member McNamara did not have enough information to move forward on this issue, and had read information about the model used by Fort Collins, Colorado, with respect to their very specific and stringent big box retail policy. Mr. Thomas thanked Doug Garrison for pulling a large amount of information together for this staff report. Page 7 of 11 | PlanningBoard/2007-10-22.pdf |