Petaluma planners endorse Target EIR

<p>After lengthy discussions Tuesday night, Petaluma planning commissioners recommended approval of an environmental impact report for the controversial Target shopping center proposal.</p><p>On a 4-2 vote, with one abstention, the commission sent to the city council the five-years-in-the-making endorsement of the analysis of the East Washington Place project, a 364,000-square-foot retail center proposed by Regency Centers at the former Kenilworth Junior High School site.</p><p>Although the commission determined the final EIR was adequate, several stressed that they still have major concerns about the project. More than one called it “a '70s suburban strip mall.”</p><p>The city council is tentatively set to hold a public hearing on Jan. 4 on the final EIR, although that could change because the commission was still debating conditions on the project's parcel map late Tuesday.</p><p>Additional conditions on the overall project and architectural and design issues will be added at further planning meetings.</p><p>The commission considered the legal adequacy of the project's final EIR, its parcel map and architectural review of the proposal, which developers say would be anchored by Target on one end and a possibly a Friedman's Home Improvement store on the other.</p><p>As proposed, a 139,000-square-foot Target would sit on the largest parcel. A Friedman's store, nursery and lumber drive-through would fill another 100,000 square feet. Smaller food and retail shops are planned for the center shopping area, with 16,000 square feet of office space in a two-story structure near the entrance.</p><p>Friedman's announced on Nov. 24 that the company had signed a letter of intent to partner with the developer on the site. But the developer emphasized the following week that the agreement is non-binding until they are granted project approvals.</p><p>The specter of the Friedman's hung over the proceedings, with commissioners asking questions about whether they were to consider potential issues a major second tenant like Friedman's could bring. </p><p>“If you're looking at a major reconfiguration of the site, it could trigger a little bit more review, including environmental review,” planner Derek Farmer said.</p><p>Community Development Director Geoff Bradley advised commissioners that Friedman's wasn't before them for consideration.</p><p>A handful of supporters and opponents showed up to voice their opinions to the commission. Despite some vocal opposition to the big-box development, it appears that a majority of the city council approves of the development in concept, particularly with the addition of the Sonoma County-based Friedman's.</p><p>Supporters urge approval of the project for the estimated $1.5 million in annual sales- and property-tax revenue, 720 jobs and additional shopping choices it may bring.</p><p>Developers are anticipating the project will be occupied by 2011, pending city approvals.</p><p>Commissioners Chris Arras, Teresa Barrett, Dennis Elias and Jennifer Pierre voted to recommend approval to the council. Commissioners Curtis Johansen and Marianne Hurley opposed. Melissa Abercrombie abstained from the discussion.</p>