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Residential, retail plan would replace Kmart
By Kate Carter
A proposal for a new housing and retail development for the Kmart site at the corner of Fruitdale Avenue and Southwest Expressway is making its way through the city's planning process, and the community is invited to discuss the proposal and guidelines at a neighborhood meeting on Nov. 1.
In addition to the mixed-use construction, the site near the planned Fruitdale station of the Vasona Light Rail line would include an open-space park and pedestrian walkways, said City Planner Anastazia Aziz.
The developer also hopes to build an office building at the corner of the two major roads, which would require an amendment to the city's General Plan, Aziz said.
The 12.7-acre site was identified earlier this year by the Redevelopment Agency as one of six city locations that could benefit from redevelopment, due to its proximity to public transit and the inefficient use of space, Redevelopment Agency spokesman John Weis said.
"Our intent is to create an urban village atmosphere of high-density housing and to respond to the light rail stop," he said. "We want to encourage high-density housing at transit stops."
The city council has not yet approved the location as a redevelopment area, Weis said. If it is approved, the agency could assist the property owner and developer, De Anza Properties, that now owns 95 percent of the site, to acquire the rest, he said. In addition, 15 percent of the housing would have to be affordable to moderate- and low-income residents, he said.
Weis said that he was not sure if the Redevelopment Agency would provide funds for the project.
Under the proposal, the development would include between 300 and 500 residential units from studios to three-bedroom townhomes, residential lofts or live-work units; and residential services and amenities, such as leasing offices, fitness and meeting rooms and pools. Zoning standards would require retail businesses along Fruitdale Avenue, and between 7,000 and 30,000 square feet of ground-level retail space.
Landscaping and open space would be an integral part of the project, Aziz said. The edges adjacent to neighborhoods would include a landscaped buffer. A park in the center of the development and broad paseos allowing walkers to access the retail shops, neighborhoods and planned light rail station at Southwest Expressway would be required to help create a safe community atmosphere, she said.
Parking would be built beneath the residential buildings that would range from between four to six stories at its tallest, Aziz said.
She said that the planning department will hold a hearing in mid-November and then make a recommendation to the city council at its next meeting. She said the proposal could be approved by the end of December. The final plan for the development would still require the planning director's approval.
A community meeting about the project is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Sherman Oaks Community Center, 1800 A Fruitdale Avenue.
The Kmart site plans will be discussed, as well as other neighborhood projects, including the Vasona light rail plans, the San Jose City College campus renovation and the Hudson development site.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
