The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

City Council advises against homes at Olson's farm

By Justin Berton

Members of the Sunnyvale Planning Commission and City Council said at a joint session April 8 they don't want to see the rows of trees in the Olson's cherry orchard replaced with rows of homes.

The two bodies met to determine the best land use for Sunnyvale's last family-owned orchard. The family has been trying to develop the 15 acres of prime real estate at the corner of Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and El Camino Real since 1985, but has been unable to get city approval on any of the projects proposed.

Developers for the Olsons were on hand to gauge what type of land use will have the best chance of winning board approval when they submit a new application for development sometime in the future.

The developers passed around a drawing conceptualizing the property as a shared housing and retail space.

"The homes would be out there on an island," councilmember Jack Walker, said of the property.

At one point during the late-night meeting, City Attorney Valerie Armento had to remind commissioners that maintaining the property was not an option.

The only chance the property has to remain an orchard is if the Olsons put the property up for sale and allow the city to buy the land.

"And even if it were for sale," said City Manager Robert LaSala, "the city doesn't have the money to buy it."

Last year the Olsons abruptly withdrew their application to develop the land into a Target store, according to city spokesperson David Vossbrink.

The council then suggested that a mixed-use site comprised of residential and commercial structures might be better suited to the area.

Director of Community Development David Boesch said the term "commercial" covered a broad range, from small retail stores to large office space.

Stan Kawczynski spoke in opposition to the idea of housing on the property. "Bring back Target," he said. "This is a disaster in the making for the community." The comment drew hisses from the audience. Kawczynski later added that his best recommendation for the land is office space.

Councilmember Pat Vorreiter disagreed. "I can live with total retail but no offices," she said.

[ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ]

This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, April 15, 1998.
©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.