Corral de Tierra Shopping Center Denied by Supervisors; Developer Told to Decrease Size

The shopping center proposed for the intersection of Highway 68 and Corral de Tierra Road finally went before the Board of Supervisors on April 12th. The developer’s proposal on 11 acres consists of 126,350 square feet of retail space and 508 parking spaces. For comparison, the Stone Creek Shopping Center on Highway 68 in Del Rey Oaks is 26,000 sq ft with 170 parking spaces.

Because of the hard work of LandWatch, the Meyer Community Group, the Highway 68 Coalition, and other concerned neighbors, the development was denied by the supervisors. The good news is that not only was the 126,350 sq ft proposal denied, but the developer’s “compromise” proposal of 121,000 sq ft, and the county’s planning staff’s “reduced density alternative” of 112,000 sq ft was denied! The bad news is that the supervisors agreed to allow the developer to come forward with a smaller proposal. The fight isn’t over yet! County planning staff will update the supervisors on the progress of developing a smaller alternative at the May 17th board meeting. LandWatch will keep our members posted!

A brief history of the project:
LandWatch submitted a letter to the county Planning Department on July 8, 2010 commenting on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Our primary concerns are: traffic impacts, long term sustainable water supply for the project, inconsistency with the county general plan, and the scenic viewshed impacts. LandWatch also sent a letter on November 29, 2010 commenting on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR).

On January 26, 2011 the county planning commission held a hearing on the shopping center. The end result was a tie vote meaning the project was denied. The developers of the project appealed this denial to the county board of supervisors.

On April 12, the county board of supervisors held a hearing on the appeal of the Planning Commission denial. At this hearing, the developers proposed a slightly reduced project of 121,000 sq ft of retail space and planning staff proposed 112,000 sq ft. The supervisors opposed all of the options because of the severe impacts the project would have on Highway 68 traffic and water. Dave Potter, supervisor for District 5 where the center is proposed, also expressed concerns about the project’s severe impacts to the scenic viewshed. The board directed planning staff to work with the developer on designing a much smaller project; however the developer claims that a smaller project might not be financially viable. Planning staff will present an updated report to the board on May 17.

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posted 05.06.11