The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Planning commissioners cast 'block' votes on plan
By Cody Kraatz
The Sunnyvale Planning Commission approved architectural plans for three of the six blocks of the Sunnyvale Town Center development on Aug. 13. The approved blocks, 3, 4 and 5, will contain Macy's and Redwood Square, Target and the Century Theatres, respectively.
Although mostly pleased with the designs, the commission called for more historical elements and curved architecture in Redwood Square along S. Murphy Avenue, which is supposed to echo the existing historic downtown, and withheld approval of a row of townhouses along Iowa Avenue by Target.
The commission also reviewed revised plans for blocks 1 and 2, which include office buildings along Mathilda Avenue, six-story residential buildings and parking garages; the Sunnyvale City Council on reviewed the plans Aug. 14. The planning commission has the final say on the plans and is to consider approving blocks 1 and 2 on Aug. 27.
Despite some criticism of the designs, commissioners and council members praised the developer, Downtown Sunnyvale Mixed Use LLC, for listening and responding to the city's feedback on the project.
After the office buildings were slammed in July, the architects added an "eyebrow" of recessed glass and columns to break up a solid wall of punched-out windows on one of three office buildings at Mathilda and McKinley avenues.
"We're happy to see it's not a jail anymore," said Councilman Ron Swegles of the office building.
"That's going to be the main entrance off of Mathilda [Avenue] so we want that to be very inviting," said Councilwoman Melinda Hamilton.
Kenneth Rodrigues, a project planner, said that three-story glass walls and colonnades along the glassed-in ground floors will create an inviting and open feel, and 45-foot sidewalks provide space for eye-catching public art.
"We do listen," he said.
Commissioner Harriet Rowe voted against retail-heavy block 3, saying residents want more historical elements. But trying to replicate Murphy Street in the new downtown runs the risk of appearing too contrived, said Dave Schmitz, the retail architect representing RTKL Associates.
"You could always take things farther," said Schmitz, comparing such an effort to theme park architecture. People cannot be fooled into thinking the buildings are actually historical, he said.
"We're not trying to duplicate Murphy, we're paying respect to it," said Rodrigues, calling the overall town center design "a contemporary, traditional, historical blend-o."
Rowe and Commissioner Laura Babcock also said efforts to create the illusion of different residential buildings could go farther, though the architects used a wide variety of materials, rooflines, window sizes and designs.
Councilman Chris Moylan regrets that the council granted the commission authority over the plans but said the council still gets plenty of chances to give input and that commissioners hear council feedback.
"The will of the council is getting manifested through the planning commission," he said.
Plans for block 6, which will include a 200-room hotel and parking garage along Sunnyvale and Washington avenues, is still to come.
Target, which only opens stores at certain times of the year, is expected to open in March 2009, Century Theatres would like to open in May 2009 just before Memorial Day kicks off the blockbuster season, and the developer is aiming for a June 2009 overall grand opening.
The building plans have become a campaign issue for Mayor Otto Lee and council members Swegles, Hamilton and Dean Chu, who are all up for re-election this year.
"This council pulled it all together," said Councilman John Howe.
For more information, visit downtown.insunnyvale.com.
