Monday, June 6, 2011

Planning Commission tonight, 6/6/11



The Planning Commission will consider a request to approve a Master Sign Program for business storefronts at Pedro Point Shopping Center, (5400-5500 Coast Highway).  The requested wall signage exceeds the maximum CEQA signage allowed, but is consistent with the City's adopted design guidelines. This request is a continuation from the May 2, 2011 Planning Commission meeting, and a project reduction in the original signage size ratio. The planning Department recommendation is to approve. For details, view the full Planning Commission Agenda, pages 1-5.  

With no other public hearings on the Agenda, this should be a short meeting.  
 
Posted by Kathy Meeh

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Center is for sale for $11 million bucks..

The Ghost of Possible City Solvency said...

The quarry is cheaper.

Kathy Meeh said...

Pedro Point shopping center improvement and "lipstick" is the Vreeland hallmark supported "economic plan" for Pacifica. Compare to his rejection (along with city council majority 2006) of quarry village development through Measure L. Thus, rejection of city potential annual tax revenue stream $17 million plus; plus new city library, new city hall locations, and highway 1 fix funding.

Economic moral to this story: Think small, live dumb, and tax Pacificans.

Anonymous said...

Vreeland is a visionary. It is a blessing in disquise that the quarry was never built out. Pedro Point Shopping center needed someone to help renovate. Vreeland did right by Pedro Point. Pedro Point is a tourist attraction that is doing very well and pleasant to visit. All we need for Council to do is back off of large permit fees on business, you will see more capital spent. Its a start.

Kathy Meeh said...

Right, the city doesn't need the money or services a downtown at the quarry could bring. Ha, ha... but, don't worry as long as these jokers are in city office, your "vision" of NOT MUCH and NOT ENOUGH for Pacifica is safe. A few years going forward maybe our city will be just country, thanks for NOTHING.

You call this a "vision"? If so, it was undisclosed most of the past 8+ years. And, those of us who expect a city to have balance, a downtown, better services, functional city infrastructure, less debt, and less risk are disappointed if not outraged at the trail "off a financial cliff" 8+ year city council has delivered.

I put 12+ year city councilmember Vreeland on this article, because the Pedro Point shopping strip ONLY is the major "economic upgrade" (such as it is) he supported, promoted and may have delivered. In this ongoing city adversity, there is sad, ironic amusement (not much else).

And, your comments hide behind being Anonymous, something we don't know about you? What "blessing in disguise" could there possibly be from undeveloped blighted land that could be made fun, practical, cared for, and bring a ton of money, living and jobs to this city??? Have you viewed the pond overgrowth lately?

Anonymous said...

Meeh, haven't you learned yet

Never question the all-mighty Vreeland!!!

Anon said...

Is Vreeland a visionary or is he looking at his assets? It is in his financial interest to make Pedro Point attractive and trendy because it increases his own property value as a Pedro Point homeowner.

Also the quarry is almost the geographic center of the city. How is the southern end equitable for those who live on the northern end? I am also learning all about Recology as a franchise of Waste Zero. Does this mess ever end?!

mike bell said...

Vreeland's vision - self aggrandizement.

Anonymous said...

Reality check; Real Estate market is a bust.
Pedro Point already built out. Do the math idiots.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon (1235) you are such a "genius", it is difficult for some of us "idiots" to understand what you are saying. So, what are you saying?

Anonymous said...

Why are you holding on to the belief that a contractor/developer is going to come to pacifica's rescue and build out the quarry? Right now investors are betting against contractors/builders, to FAIL. They are in debt up to their ears. Is there anybody that reads this blog understand that?

Now, I dont know if Vreeland knows that or not, but he definately gets credit for paying attention to Pedro Point instead. It is a lovely area, one that people like to visit. There is a lot for tourists to do. You can rent a boat and go fishing. You can rent wetsuit/surfboard and get a lesson or two.

In this economy if Peebles were able to do what he wanted to do, and I voted for the development, he would have skipped town by now. At least I can say I was wrong in wanting development in the quarry, but who knew the markets would crash so badly and real estate took the brundt. With the new Dodd/Frank Regulations banks wont loan, and there is much uncertainity in the real estate markets, the people who can afford to buy are not biting.
It is what it is.

Anonymous said...

Time to move on from the quarry.

Kathy Meeh said...

Well, we don't know who you are do we Anonymous (337), so your comments are just some much frog dust. Now is the time to build. Swenson is looking at coastal property, probably did his Pacifica "due diligence" and moved-on.

Remember the main complaint from people who otherwise would have supported quarry development was "traffic". Less traffic during the economic downturn, but your argument is now "no money". Maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe no instant money, but there is the longer term view and funding developers with deep pockets rely on.

It may take 4-6 to get through regulations and build larger properties such as the quarry. The economic projections are better 4-6 years out, which would work for renting-out larger development properties: PERFECT!

Pedro Point is an almost NOTHING: a business strip with a market and several medium cost restaurants and a few shops. But, this property is like eco-tourism, secondary, and "it ain't going to save Pacifica".

You say you supported village or downtown development in the quarry. Step-up, if you defeat having a better more sustainable city before you allow that to happen-- as prescribed by 8+ year city council, it will never happen.

Anonymous said...

Development? That boat has sailed and we can make a pretty strong case that we are lucky to not have been aboard. And I voted for it! Profound changes have taken place in the US economy and ignoring them guarantees continued poverty. Seems like Pacificans don't want the type of development that is happening now--apartments and affordable housing--so we will probably miss that boat too. How many deli's and nail salons do you think we will we need to open to pay for all these city salaries, pensions, and bare-bones services?

Anonymous said...

Love the Pedro Point shopping center. Nona's, La Playa and High Tides are terrific. The other shops have traffic. Extreme Pizza is popular. Best of all, we have Fresh and Easy. Great little market that will only get better as they learn local preferences. Whoever was responsible, and I think lots of people were, thank you, and get back to work on the rest of the mess!

todd bray said...

"How many deli's and nail salons do you think we will we need to open to pay for all these city salaries, pensions, and bare-bones services?"

The city can force the contracts to be mediated which would provide a court appointed and approved wage scale that fits within our revenues instead of the city declaring bankruptcy first to force the issue, so I'm told. Anyone know any more about this?

Anonymous said...

I don't know about that but do you really see the gang at city hall, elected and staff, making such a move? They didn't have the collective balls to take on collective bargaining when they had the opportunity. Payroll costs are still going up and head counts, after all is said and done, are roughly the same because the goal is not running the city well and within its revenues but rather to preserve the jobs and benies of the fortunate few who have city jobs. Wait til next year and so on. We ain't seen nothing yet. The chickens are definitely coming home to roost.

Anonymous said...

Used to be that government jobs had the best benefits and pensions because they didn't have the top salaries. Well that is no longer the case. Gov't salaries are competitive with private sector or better and the benefits are way above those in the private sector. The cost of public employee benefits and pensions is killing us. Pac needs to get better negotiators (that should be easy)who don't have personal financial interest in the outcome. Then get real with two-tier pensions, raise the employee contribution for all benefits, end all the sneaky cafeteria cash crap and then close the loopholes so that cafeteria cash can't surface again as "double" benefits. In other words, negotiate a contract we can all live with and not one that rewards 150 people at the expense of 40,000.

todd bray said...

Sounds like the theme is being set for our council elections next year. Who will have the strength as a council person to make this happen.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon (552), sure Pedro Point is a nice little business strip, its just not enough.

Funny, Anon (543) still claims to have voted for quarry development but since has become enlightened". However, I like that "deli's and nail salons" comment. We need good paying private industry jobs and services in this city. Then, these jobs could pay competitive wages for public industry jobs, Todd.

Anonymous said...

Good paying private industry jobs are uncommon in bedroom communities like Pacifica.
Geography works powerfully against us. Brisbane has thriving e-commerce facilities for Walmart and Amazon along with corp offices for Bebe and other large operations. We have neither the room nor the easy access to freeways. The quarry is too much of a regulatory battle (time and money) for any ready-to-expand business to deal with. Bedroom communities provide housing and amenities. The only in-demand types of housing for the next few years will be apartments, affordable, and senior. These are often built with subsidies and public/private partnerships. Those new neighbors could support a lot of small local businesses. That kind of growth is possible for Pacifica. Waiting for some mythical, god-like developer to swoop in, build something grand, and save us ignores current events and this country's new economy.

Anonymous said...

Todd, all it would take is one with real leadership skills and the ability to persuade the others. That's what has been missing.

Steve Sinai said...

Premium Outlet Malls are still being built, and are very successful.

All the "can't do it" rhetoric from the people who have financially wrecked this city gets pretty old. Please take yourself out of the conversation while other people try to solve the problems you've caused.

Anonymous said...

A quality outlet mall would be fabulous and would bring visitors to spend money, discover this town and then go home elsewhere to receive their expensive city services. It's always been my favorite "Save Pacifica" idea.

Chief Full-of-Bull said...

Ilene Carey ranted on about how the quarry is "holy ground". I say give it to the Native Americans. Build a casino, bar, restaraunt, and we'd have zero unemployment in Pacifica, people would be coming into town to play, and we could shake the tribe down like all the other municiple agencies do. Too bad prostitution is illegal, we could throw a Bunny Ranch West in the mix. Pacifica would truly become a "destination point"!

Anonymous said...

Nona's in Pedro Point is closing soon

Anonymous said...

Nona's closes every night

Anonymous said...

Hate to hear that. Good food. More competition now? It's a tough business maybe just tired.

Anonymous said...

Closing for good smart ass

Anonymous said...

That's a shame. Like the food. Locals working there. Thanks and good luck to them.

Anonymous said...

"Geography works powerfully against us. ... We have neither the room nor the easy access to freeways. The quarry is too much of a regulatory battle (time and money) for any ready-to-expand business to deal with. ... Waiting for some mythical, god-like developer to swoop in, build something grand, and save us ignores current events and this country's new economy."

"All the "can't do it" rhetoric from the people who have financially wrecked this city gets pretty old. Please take yourself out of the conversation while other people try to solve the problems you've caused."

People who talk about the regulatory and economic realities are put down as "can't do rhetoric" and essentially told to shut up and go away. The only acceptable discussion is about how we should wish for pigs with wings so they can fly. No one will talk about how to actually solve any problems. This is why people on this blog will never do anything to "fix Pacifica."

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon (2:24) you are "people posting on this blog", so am I. Its a blog, where voices like yours and mine can be heard, without being edited.

What problems are you solving? One thing we need is a pro-economy city council majority through election. That is the #1 biggest step to "fix Pacifica".

BTW how did you vote last time? Did you work for pro-economy candidates? Did you contribute money to their campaigns? Or, are you just doing the SF garter snake twist?

As Steve said 6/9, 11:41pm (above): "All the "can't do it" rhetoric from the people who have financially wrecked this city gets pretty old." What is your contribution?

Anonymous said...

and it was hardly 'can't do rhetoric' to begin with. just the facts. economic bridges have been burned but there are types of development (affordable and apts and seniors)that are going on now but they make people uncomfortable. fact. this town's future was determined in the 60's and 70's when freeways were being built (not to us, thanks) and land being given to the feds (future generations will thank us, I guess)or made subject to regulatory agencies. more facts. we either work with what we have or we watch it crumble. nice outlet mall is a great idea. they shop, they leave, jobs. but why limit the idea to just the quarry why not look at some of our tatty old retail space. hardly 'can't do rhetoric'.

Kathy Meeh said...

"...but why limit the idea to just the quarry .."

Anon (344, no limit, the general plan includes all. The quarry focus is the 88 acres, maybe develop 60-75%, make up for wasting Mori Point. The quarry has the biggest economic potential that's why it keeps coming-up.

Anonymous said...

What's up with Nick's? Are they going ahead with their expansion and remodel? Any news?

Steve Sinai said...

"and it was hardly 'can't do rhetoric' to begin with. just the facts"

Not facts, just nonsensical opinion.

Anonymous said...

Work on the owner of LM shopping center to tear it down and rebuild featuring outlets. Maybe 2 stories. With a safeway and pharmacy and banks. Great location. Probably a hell of a lot easier and faster than anything with the quarry.

Anonymous said...

No no it's got to be the quarry. Don't you get it?

Kathy Meeh said...

"...Probably a hell of a lot easier and faster than anything with the quarry." Anonymous (414) speaking, pure deflection.

Tell the property owner (or limited partnership) to tear down their shopping center and build a second story to their existing building and a double-decker parking lot? Whereas the quarry is an empty, blighted property. Not sure if the empty quarry still has redevelopment advantages. 25 years+ of indecision Pacifica x $10 million approximate average lost revenue per year = $250,000 million lost City revenue. And, don't forget about the lost services and jobs.

Anon (432)"it's got to be the quarry. Don't you get it?" No.

todd bray said...

NONA'S IS NOT CLOSING, I just spoke to Jorith (the owner) and he said that rumor is false.

Kathy Meeh said...

Thanks Todd for verifying NONA'S IS NOT CLOSING.

"Anonymous" where did you get your information? And, want stature, sign your name to your comment. Can't do that? Well.....

Anonymous said...

Glad Nona's isn't closing. Good food. Love the small plates he does at dinner.

Ling Ling said...

Retail is down. Building development is down. I say we rent out school property to a privately owned language arts school and teach anyone who wants chinese, mandarin to be precise. We will also need to fundraise like crazy and send some of our brightest to school in China and India. In ten years it will have paid off. Lets concentrate on what the future will look like, and the future is in China and India.

Kathy Meeh said...

"...send some of our brightest to school in China and India. In ten years it will have paid off."

By then Pacifica will be completely "underwater", so China or India might be welcome lands. Except, considering the current USA trend its more efficient to import intelligence.