A plan to turn the Butcher’s Corner property into a housing development is starting to take shape, but some folks are dismayed that the site will not have any retail.
The Sunnyvale Planning Commission held a study session July 11 to review De Anza Properties’ proposal to turn the 5.1-acre plot at 871 E. Fremont Ave. into a site with 153 residential units, with 114 being condominium units and 39 townhomes.
Currently, the property bounded by Fremont Avenue, Wolfe Road and El Camino Real is home to an old farm house that belonged to the Butcher family, which first came to Sunnyvale in 1881. The land was previously an unincorporated island of Santa Clara County. In October the site was annexed into the city from the county. De Anza Properties purchased the site.
In April the commission reviewed the project’s draft environmental impact report, which showed space for apartments and retail. The project features 6,936 square feet of nonresidential use such as commercial or office space, but during the July 11 study session the applicant said there are no plans for retail at the site.
John Vidovich of De Anza Properties told the commission he was interested in purchasing the adjacent dental business at 895 E. Fremont Ave. as part of the project.
The lack of retail on site was a big point of contention among residents at the study session, which was held to get feedback on the project concept from city staff and the public.
Although some on the planning commission thought the lack of retail would help quell worries about increased traffic to the area, some speakers were hoping to have retail options in the neighborhood.
“I’m disappointed we won’t have retail. I’m thinking in terms of someone who doesn’t live right on the corner, but someone who lives in the neighborhood. Being able to walk to some place would be nice,” said resident Sue Ceroni.
Views were also a concern. De Anza is planning to build a five-story building facing El Camino Real and a seven-story building on Fremont Avenue, both primarily residential, which concerned some residents.
“A seven-story building will definitely stop my mountain view. We are in a suburb so seven stories and five stories, even on the El Camino, is a lot,” a resident named Manisha told the planning commission.
The applicants will continue refining the plan for the property. A date for the next round of review with the city has not yet been determined.
For more information about the project, visit butcherscorner.insunnyvale.com.
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