A revised proposal to redevelop the Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center and to build 10 homes at the Eichler-style plaza took a major step forward when Palo Alto's Architectural Review Board voted to approve the project Thursday morning, Feb. 2.
Though the ambitious project still has to get approved by the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council, the board's endorsement presents a major victory for the Sand Hill Property Company, the Redwood City-based developer behind the project.
The board voted 4-0, with newly appointed member Lee Lippert abstaining, to approve Sand Hill's plan, with several board members praising the evolution of the project's design. The most recent changes include lowering building heights, larger yard spaces for the residences and relocation of entry doors at some of the residences to face Channing Avenue. Board Chair Heather Young was one of several members who lauded the changes as an improvement to the project.
Young also praised the developers for getting the surrounding community's support for the revitalization of the worn-down shopping center.
Located at 2080 Channing Ave., Edgewood Plaza was built by developer Joseph Eichler and architect A. Quincy Jones of the firm Jones and Emmons between 1956 and 1958. The proposal includes major renovations to three retail buildings, a relocation of one retail building and construction of 10 homes.
The renovated plaza will also feature a new grocery store. John Tze of the Sand Hill Property Company wrote in a letter to the board that the company has already signed a long-term lease with a grocer "who is highly desired by our neighbors."
"Edgewood will be their first Bay Area location before expanding throughout California," he wrote.
The grocer anticipates opening by Thanksgiving, Tze wrote.
The board also added a list of conditions to its approval, including more details about residential street furniture and garage-door panels, fencing and soundwalls. Members also expressed some concern about noise from the delivery trucks that would be entering and exiting the grocery store.
The board also questioned the proposed light fixtures, which Vice Chair Judith Wasserman said look Victorian and out of place in the Eichler community.
"It doesn't even pretend to be modern and Eichlerish, so try again," Wasserman said.
The planning commission is scheduled to review the project later this month while the council is tentatively scheduled to hold a hearing on it in March.
Comments
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 3, 2012 at 10:36 am
on Feb 3, 2012 at 10:36 am
This renovation project is long overdue. It's a shame that it could not have been achieved with far lost resistance from all concerned. It's also a shame that the developer was forced to build housing at this site, which is clearly better suited for locating small, retail, businesses, than bringing up children--who will find themselves wanting to play ball in the parking lot, having to avoid cars and trucks.
The Palo Alto process is a mess.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 3, 2012 at 10:37 am
on Feb 3, 2012 at 10:37 am
"Members also expressed some concern about noise from the delivery trucks that would be entering and exiting the grocery store."
This is why things move so slowly in Palo Alto. Do the members not remember that their used to be a fairly vibrant shopping center here and it included, wait for it...a grocery store. Did Albertsons have shelf stocking ninjas sneak in, in the dark of night and quietly stock the shelves?
We fully expect the need for delivery trucks to come and deliver product to the store. Those buying homes here will already be aware that there is a grocery store VERY close to their homes.
The concern would make sense if they were putting in a 40,000 square foot super store. But, that's not allowed in Palo Alto, which is why many Palo Altans, including a few of the fire departments, choose to shop in Menlo Park and Mountain View. Let's get this thing built already.
Crescent Park
on Feb 3, 2012 at 11:01 am
on Feb 3, 2012 at 11:01 am
There was a question about trucks having to back out. Have you ever heard the beeps of trucks backing up? And problems about upstairs privacy in some of the homes.Gee, how about fewer homes and more space between?
It is not the city that has been holding it up. The developer asked for postponements again and again.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm
on Feb 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm
"It's also a shame that the developer was forced to build housing at this site..."
Wrong! The developer fought hard to be allowed to build housing at the site.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:25 pm
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I was under the impression that Fresh and Easy had already been planning to open there.
Charleston Gardens
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:26 pm
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:26 pm
"There was a question about trucks having to back out. Have you ever heard the beeps of trucks backing up? "
How often will trucks be making deliveries and how often will they be backing up????
This is another non-issues that certain Palo Altoans love to bring up to try to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Maybe we should let Edgewood Plaza sit barren for another decade or so, like Alma Plaza--after all there may be a person or two in the city that will end up not liking the plan.
Judith Wasserman does not disappoint again:
""The board also questioned the proposed light fixtures, which Vice Chair Judith Wasserman said look Victorian and out of place in the Eichler community.
"It doesn't even pretend to be modern and Eichlerish, so try again," Wasserman said."
Any know any famous Judith Wasserman-designed structures??
And no shrine to Eichler on the premises??? Where will his devotees worship if not at his only shopping center. All bow to Eichler.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:59 pm
on Feb 3, 2012 at 1:59 pm
> Wrong! The developer fought hard to be allowed to build
> housing at the site.
If you say so. But this Edgewood project has been going on for a long time, and there have many players involved.
Almost eleven (11) years ago, former City Manager Frank Benest wanted to use this site (and others) to justify the creation of a Redevelopment Agency:
file:///C:/wem/palo/2001/010919.html
The plans that Benest was proposing at the time, involved maybe 25 housing units (if memory serves). Most of the local residents (CC&R holders, at least)
Web Link
were up in arms. If the current developer was not under the same pressure to build homes by the City, and "fought" for permission to include them in the project--then that is sort of important information that should be made public, in an official way.
While no one could see the demise of the RDAs in 2012 back in 2001, it's a good thing that Frank Benest didn't get his way with this idea at that time.
another community
on Feb 3, 2012 at 8:00 pm
on Feb 3, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Nice to see something finally moving forward on this in 1snail-pace NIMBY Palo Alto.
The architects did a great job on the site place considering all of the constraints. Wish there were fewer housing units and more parking, but whatever. Surprised A. Quincy Jones, the original architect never seems to get any credit, only Eichler, the developer.
Leland Manor/Garland Drive
on Feb 4, 2012 at 11:54 am
on Feb 4, 2012 at 11:54 am
Honoring the history of this hallowed space had better include a marker stating that the shopping center as well as the Eichler development is sitting on the bones of a large Muwekmwa Ohlone tribal burial ground. I remember as a child watching the earth movers plowing the bones after an archeologist removed one or two skeletons intact. Out of respect for the native peoples who are buried under this land (and are likely to be redisturbed by the developer) please consider this part of the "historical significance". When I revealed my experience to Jim Baer (the developer) he said he thought a marker would be appropriate and asked me to try and locate some official documentation (ie PA Times or dept. of archeology at Stanford). I have thus far been unable to get "official documentation". If anyone out in comment land has the desire or ability to help me get this information we can present it to the City Council.
College Terrace
on Feb 4, 2012 at 1:03 pm
on Feb 4, 2012 at 1:03 pm
So it is good to know that Eichler, the man worshipped in palo alto had no respect for native Americans. Did he also refuse to sell his houses to minorities?
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 4, 2012 at 6:45 pm
on Feb 4, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Palo Alto has become almost as bad as NO!vato, nice to see something is moving forward at edgewood. bedsides taco trucks