PC 07/23/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . Ms. Williams noted that the process for amending the Development Agreement takes a long time and that it would be difficult to tell what the issues would be at the time a department store expresses interest in expanding. She explained that because of the nature of the shopping center business, Taubman needs the entitlement as a bargaining tool with department stores and to maintain competitiveness with other shopping centers. Having this entitlement could determine if a department store stays at Stoneridge or goes to another location. A good example is J C Penney, which is going into Best Plaza, where no capital investment is necessary. Commissioner Cooper expressed concern that in that the Best Plaza anchor is empty, Stoneridge Mall may be unable to build and maintain full occupancy, which would kill business faster than a potential shortage of vested space. .. Ms. Williams explained that Taubman will not make major capital investments unless it is sure it will work. Commissioner Kumaran noted from the traffic table that three intersections would be impacted by the expansion, although not at LOS E: two intersections would change from LOS B to C, and one from LOS C to D. In addition, no mitigation measures have been proposed for the two I-680/Stoneridge Drive intersections that would be impacted at LOS E. Mr. Gibson replied that the mitigation measures for the I-680/Stoneridge Drive intersections would involve widening the Stoneridge bridge. Without the West Las Positas interchange, and with or without the 202,000-square foot Stoneridge Shopping Center expansion, the Stoneridge bridge would have to be widened if the City is to meet its LOS D goal. Mr. Carl Pretzel, 3633 Glacier Court, stated that he was an alternate member of the West Las Positas Committee but is addressing the Commission as an individual citizen. He agreed that some of the department stores need to be bigger so they can expand their merchandise selection. He was opposed to parking structures like that of Sears and indicated that without Condition 1. b., the proposal would not be acceptable because it is so open-ended. He asked where the 178,000 square feet would go and what would happen to the old Capwell site if Macy's expands. He pointed out a major negative effect requiring mitigation in the Foothill Road/Canyon Way intersection with regard to vehicles coming off east-bound 1-580 exit and cutting across four lanes to enter the shopping center at Canyon Way. He noted that contrary to Mr. Gibson's presentation that the traffic impact on southbound Bernal Avenue interchange is 1 %, the report states a change from .7 to .78 or 10%. Finally, he expressed concern about pedestrian safety and having 1,500 students crossing West Las Positas from Lydiksen School on the west, Donlon School on the east, and the proposed Hacienda Middle School on Willow Road/West Las Positas. Chair Barker commented that in view of the General Plan buildout, traffic capacity can be viewed as a cup that can be filled up with residences, office space, or mall expansion. Allowing the mall to have a competitive advantage is the "cream of the crop, " Mr. Tom Gill, 4540 Muirwood Drive, stated that he is also an alternate member of the West Las Positas Committee but is addressing the Commission as an individual citizen. He noted that the shortest route from Southeast Pleasanton to the Stoneridge Shopping Center is to cut-through on Muirwood Drive North/Springdale Avenue and that based on the staff report, as much as six percent Planning Commission Minutes Page 10 July 13, 1997