Chestnut Crossing plan scraps big-box retail

Chestnut Crossing, a 36-acre proposed development at the southeast corner of Chestnut Expressway and West Bypass, was the subject at council’s May 2 meeting.

Unlike the disagreement between Walnut Creek developer Landmark Building and Development Co. and nearby Wellington Hills residents at the last meeting, this argument involved council, city staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Larino Properties LLC’s proposal has Planning and Zoning Commission and neighborhood approval, but city staff recommends denial. Staff states developer Paul Larino’s plan lacks street connectivity to neighboring residences and a buffer between commercial and single-family residential zones.

The proposal, Larino Properties’ third amendment since April 2002, scraps Larino’s plans for a big- box retail anchor to occupy most of the development. His new plan splits the development into a group of smaller, locally-owned shops.

Larino said the buffer area in question would eat into usable retail space, adding that a natural tree buffer already is in place.

City Manager Tom Finnie understood Larino’s position in the argument.

“It’s the developer that’s really getting caught between a rock and a hard place,” Finnie said. “The problem comes when the developer feels that (the neighborhood’s) concerns override the council policy. It might be good just to clarify that while you want neighborhood input, that input shouldn’t override the council’s policy.”

Mayor Tom Carlson was quick to add a caveat: “Not unless there’s a whole bunch of them.”

Several council members expressed frustration at the fact that city staff and the commission could not agree on the best course of action for several recent council bills.

“We’re not on the same page. Something’s wrong,” said Councilman Denny Whayne. “These developments keep coming before us, and one approves and one denies. When these bills come to council, we have a tendency to try to compromise. How do we get on the same page?”

Carlson also was frustrated by the situation.

“The job of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to follow council policy. They aren’t elected; it’s their job to know what our policy is and apply the facts to the policy,” he said, asking commission members to avoid playing political games. “We appoint people on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and it needs to be communicated to them what is expected of them.”

Council could vote on Chestnut Crossing at its May 16 meeting.

Also on the agenda:

Council also heard a proposal for a use permit for an auto body repair and paint shop at 3649 W. Chestnut Expressway. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, but city staff recommended denial.

The bill calls for a business drive directly onto Chestnut, a practice staff said did not coincide with the city’s master plan. It was recommended that the driveway be placed on adjacent Dexter Avenue. Property owner Don Melton said that could confuse potential customers and make access difficult for tow trucks.

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