Whole Foods, AT&T Meeting Set for April 24

[Editor's Note: We're republishing this item, initially posted Friday, to catch up with the post-spring-break crowd.]

On April 24, the city's planning commission will consider moving forward on two major projects: the Whole Foods and senior housing developments planned by the University of California in , and a new AT&T wireless facility proposed on San Pablo Avenue. 

The city sent out the following notice Friday afternoon about the University Village development meeting:

Notice of Public Hearing of the City of Albany Planning & Zoning Commission

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 7:30 pm
Location of Meeting: City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue
Applicant: University of California
Subject of Meeting: 1030-1130 San Pablo Avenue (corner of San Pablo Avenue and Monroe Street)

The 6.3-acre project site in University Village is located to the northwest and southwest of the Monroe Street/San Pablo Avenue intersection. The applicant seeks approval to construct a new 55,000 sq ft grocery store at the north side of Monroe and a mixed-use retail space and approximately 175 unit senior living project on the south side of Monroe. This public hearing is for the Commission to consider making a recommendation to the City Council regarding a proposed zoning map amendment, planned unit development, development Agreement, and an application for Density Bonus to reduce parking requirements, and change in parkland dedication requirements. 

If you would like more information about this application, please contact the Albany Community Development Department at 1000 San Pablo Avenue, 510 -528-5760 or email Jeff Bond at jbond@albanyca.org. Plans are available for review at http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=521.

Landlords: please forward notice to tenants.

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Bond said Friday afternoon that this meeting will be the "next step" for the University Village project. Council members directed city staff in January to related to parking and open space requirements, among other things. 

"We've done that," said Bond. "We're ready to show that to the community." 

He said the draft development agreement will be ready for everyone to see next week. The agreement, he said, gives the university assurances that the city will abide by its commitments about fees and approvals, and also summarizes various policy issues related to the project. 

"It details the policy issues and concerns council members had," said Bond, in part related to the and other aspects of the plans. 

The development agreement will give the university a five-year period in which to move forward. After five years, if the project hasn't happened, the city would be able to revisit the matter. 

"It's a promise for five years," Bond said. "It gives the university the assurance they can move forward." 

CELL FACILITY ALSO ON THE AGENDA

Bond said planning commissioners also could vote on a wireless facility AT&T would like to build on the roof of a building at 1035 San Pablo Ave. Read more about that project here.

The antenna application has been under consideration and in development for several years as the company, planning commissioners and community members have struggled to find a solution that would work for everyone involved. 

(For those marking their calendars for important meetings this month, Safeway also plans to hold a to discuss new designs for its Solano Avenue project.)

For alerts when we write about the Whole Foods project, click the "Keep me posted" button below this story. 

If there's something in this article you think , or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at albany@patch.com.