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Across the country regional mall owners are facing similar challenges and seeking new <br /> opportunities to diversify their traditional, retail-focused land use and offerings β€” often <br /> with complementary uses such as housing and non-retail employment. And, within the <br /> retail sphere, these centers are seeking to create new and different experiences and <br /> attractions to draw patrons, including newly-created outdoor spaces, "lifestyle" uses <br /> such as gyms and movie theaters; and upgraded dining options. Many of these <br /> redevelopments take advantage of what is a currently underutilized asset β€” large sites, <br /> with many acres of land dedicated to surface parking, positioned close to regional <br /> highways and transit β€”to accommodate these uses. <br /> At Stoneridge Mall, some efforts to diversity land use have already been made. In the <br /> 2012 (4th Cycle) Housing Element, two areas of Simon's property, totaling 10 acres, was <br /> designated for high-density housing. An application for a 360-unit housing project at the <br /> southeast quadrant of the mall is currently under review, as allowed by the zoning. And, <br /> in 2019, Simon received Design Review approval for a redevelopment of the former <br /> Sears building and parking deck with an expanded, outdoor-oriented commercial <br /> development focused around a central green space. While that project is currently on <br /> hold due to economic uncertainty, Simon has expressed its ongoing interest in pursuing <br /> this project or a similar type of redevelopment in the future and making new investments <br /> that can help secure the long-term viability of Stoneridge Mall's retail core. <br /> 6th Cycle Housing Element <br /> On July 19, 2022, the City Council recommended the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element <br /> be forwarded to the State Department of Housing and Community Development for <br /> review. The Draft Housing Element identifies 25 sites that may be considered for re- <br /> zoning to allow housing. Stoneridge Mall was identified in community surveys and in <br /> Commission and City Council discussions as a strongly-preferred site for new housing, <br /> and the Draft Housing Element currently includes an estimated 900-1,440 housing units <br /> (up to 18 acres, at 50-80 dwelling units per acre) at the mall, with the distribution of <br /> those units to be determined. While the site inventory and planned housing numbers <br /> may get refined during the Housing Element process or as part of the Framework effort, <br /> there appears to be strong support for continuing to include this site in the inventory. <br /> The Housing Element is anticipated to be adopted by April/May 2023, providing an <br /> approximately 6-8 month timeframe during which progress can be made on the <br /> Framework, and with it the opportunity to create a more refined set of policies and a <br /> broader land use and circulation concept that will help to guide future housing <br /> development at Stoneridge Mall. <br /> Basis for Framework Plan Effort <br /> In addition to the in-process and entitled new projects at Stoneridge Mall, the City has <br /> continued to engage with various of the owners about opportunities for development <br /> and redevelopment of parking areas and currently vacant major anchor buildings. There <br /> have also been some ownership changes for mall properties, with sale of the Nordstrom <br /> property earlier this year; and acquisition of the Sears property by Simon several years <br /> ago; the JC Penney property, which was sold a few years ago, was acquired in July <br /> 2022 by a new owner. <br /> Page 3 of 8 <br />