Willow Glen Resident

News

Fruitdale development will include a reduction in retail

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

The 12.7-acre project on the corner of Fruitdale Avenue and Southwest Expressway will finally move beyond the piles-of-dirt stage.

On June 20, the San Jose City Council approved the planning commission's recommendation and tacked on some conditions of its own.

The conditions of approval will require the developer to create public access for the open space portion of the project. This will include an east-to-west publicly accessible "paseo" between St. Elizabeth Drive and Southwest Expressway as a link between the Fruitdale light rail station and the neighborhoods.

The city council also addressed the open space requirements. The project must include at least 0.8 acres of open space within the center of the project.

Developer John Vidovich of DeAnza Properties will be able to increase the number of attached residential units from 500 to 505, and reduce the minimum amount of required retail space from 50,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet.

However, according to a memo dated May 5 from San Jose's acting director of planning Joseph Horwedel, Vidovich intends to develop the property with 25,900 square feet of retail space.

The San Jose Planning Commission on March 22 recommended the square footage for the retail and commercial portion of the development that fronts Southwest Expressway, Fruitdale Avenue and St. Elizabeth Drive be a minimum of 50,000 square feet, up to maximum of 100,000 square feet.

The significant reduction in retail space was not what residents wanted.

North Willow Glen resident Harvey Darnell pointed out there still aren't enough amenities for the residents in the area, and the reduction in retail and commercial requirements continues to hinder the area, forcing residents to shop elsewhere.

"We're building a community that will be standing a minimum of 75 years, and it's a shame that we didn't build it with a proper mix of retail and jobs along the light rail," Darnell said. "Every time the light rail goes by, you hear ching-ching-ching. It's the sound of cash registers in Campbell from people living in this area and spending their money there."

The project, which consists of two development phases, is already under construction. The second phase was controversial because one building, dubbed "The Tower," was approved for a height of up to 85 feet by the planning commission. It will be reconfigured with three tiers. The first two levels, reaching 65 and 75 feet respectively, will face St. Elizabeth Drive. The third level, at 85 feet, will face Fruitdale Avenue.

The building along Southwest Expressway, which was originally intended as office space, has been reconfigured as 80 townhomes.

In addition to these project conditions, the developer will also be responsible for completing a list of public improvements. The construction of a second southbound left-turn lane along Southwest Expressway and Fruitdale Avenue and a 220-foot extension of the southbound left-turn lane as well as the construction of a second westbound left lane with the same extension will all be required.

The developer will install a traffic signal on the corner of Southwest Expressway to mitigate any traffic congestion from the development.

Construction on the second phase of the project is slated for completion in 2008.