Residents to give input on proposed Lowe's shopping center

<p>Neighbors of a proposed shopping center in east Petaluma are invited to give input on plans for the Lowe's-anchored plaza this Thursday.</p><p>Deer Creek Village, a shopping center that is set to include Lowe's Home Improvement and other shopping and restaurants, is in the preliminary stages of planning and community input. The “open house” neighborhood meeting will be held Thursday, June 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.</p><p>The development is proposed for the empty lot just south of Rainier Avenue and north of Lynch Creek Way. The design is scheduled to first be addressed by the Planning Commission in late summer, and Lowe's hopes to open their store by 2011.</p><p>Residents within 1,000 feet of the proposed development were notified of the event, and while it is a neighborhood meeting, it is “open to the whole community,” said Geoff Bradley of the city's planning department. Given the size of the project, interest from many people is expected and all are invited. Architects and representatives from Merlone Geier Partners, the project's developers, will be on hand to make a presentation and answer questions.</p><p> — Argus-Courier Staff</p>