HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetherholt LetterFrom: Wetherholt, Drew [mailto: Drew. Wetherholt @marcusmillichap.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12:41 PM
To: eaton727 @earthlink.net; rhawkins @earthlink.net; bhillgren @highrhodes.com;
scott.peotter @taxfighter.com; strataland @earthlink.net; cwunsworth @cox.net
Cc: Lepo, David; mnova @newport- beach.ca.us; Henn, Michael; City Council; Kiff, Dave
Subject: Albertson's Center Renovation 3101 -3121 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach
Dear Planning Commissioners:
I am speaking on behalf of several 301h Street residents and owners for the record. I also own
two properties on 30th Street and have a residence that directly backs up to the rear loading
docks of Albertson's. While the residents of 301h Street welcome the much needed rehab of the
Albertson's Center we also have some critical concerns and requests before we will support this
rehab.
The addition of the retail space will block the trucks and large tractor - trailers from exiting
behind the store thru the parking lot and on to Balboa Blvd. We like the idea of limiting
traffic from behind the center but we do not wish to see the trucks be forced down our
RESIDENTIAL street. This is NOT acceptable. We would insist that these trucks enter
and exit 30th Street from NEWPORT BLVD. This is not addressed in the staff report.
We have serious concerns about the ability of the trucks to be able to safely exit the rear
of the store given the existing loading dock configuration and the exist curb cuts. The
staff report does not address any trucking turning radiuses or provide for any truck radius
templates. The trucks do not have the space they need to maneuver. The way the
loading docks /trash are presently configured these trucks cannot safely make these turns
and require at least a 45' radius. Also the trucks struggle with the present curb -cuts and
often just go over the curbs and sidewalks. I personally have had a truck go over the
front sidewalk of my property at 217 30th street and the truck collapsed the water /gas
meter vault within the sidewalk. I personally wouldn't mind the elimination of a few public
parking spaces on 301h Street directly in front of the loading area in order to re- configure
the loading docks as long as the trucks go to NEWPORT BLVD. and not Balboa Blvd.
Again, we do NOT want to see the trucks going up 301h Street! Also during the summer
Albertson's puts a truck trailer in the back of the store for additional storage and on 4th of
July weekend they bring in an additional refrigerator trailer to store beer (which I have
been told by code enforcement is not allowed but yet nothing seems to change & we'd
like to se this stopped). This only compounds the truck access problem even more.
Please see attached examples of necessary truck turning radiuses and photos.
I also do not wish to see an excessive amount of trucks piled -up against my 301h Street
property as you can see with the enclosed photos. With the difficult existing
configuration, this new proposal will only significantly compound the problems and the
truck traffic. In the five years since I rehabbed my property at 217 301h street I have had
my fence, wall, and property hit and severely damaged six times. Albertson's has been a
good neighbor in this regards and has compensated me in several occasions. However,
I do not wish to see a truck end up in my living room or my 500 gallon reef tank. This
also presents significant health and safety issue for my family /residents at 217 301h Street
and the other properties that abut the Albertson's property. We would request that the
loading docks and trash area be re- configured to allow better, safer ingress /egress to
access Newport Blvd. We would also request some type of guard -rail along the abutting
residential properties. California Coastal Commission may also have a problem regarding
the impacts to the public parking.
3. Trash, rats & mice! I think the attached photos are worth a 1000 words. This property
has consistently been poorly maintained. While several Albertson's employees have
made great efforts to assist in these problems the overall property management has done
very little to address the constant trash and dumpster problems. Transients are
constantly digging in the trash, exposed trash continue to attract rats and mice, leaking
trash smells and then drains into the storm drains which drain to the bay, and on holiday
weekends it's a complete disaster. Clearly the trash problems are a health issue and an
eye sore in several ways. Many residents will not shop at Albertson's because of the
trash and filth. You certainly do not see this at Pavilions across Newport Blvd. We
would insist that the trash dumpsters be FULLY enclosed, covered, maintained, low -odor,
cleaned and locked. These enclosures should be aesthetically designed as we would
see in Corona del Mar or Pavilions.
4. Parking is always an issue and we would request that the city ensure these parking
spaces are actually useable parking spaces. As we have previously seen developers
tend to cram as many "compact" spaces into a center; instead of being able to parking in
one space you actually have to park in two space just to be able to get out of your car.
5. We would request a limitation of ONLY 15% for eating and drinking establishments. Too
many food places continue to result in too much trash, noise and parking problems. Also
we would request a restriction against bars, liquor stores, nightclubs, pubs etc. at the
property. The property is already short on parking especially during the summer and
adding too many food tenants will continue to compound this problem. Per the ABC, our
neighborhood and district (15) already is the most over concentrated area in all of Orange
County for alcohol licenses related to bars etc. We do not need any more ABC licenses
in this area.
We realize that this is a unique mixed -use area and community and we realize that we are
adjacent to a commercial center. There will always be issues and concerns- we know that!
However, we also have had to endure much "abuse" from this commercial property and we
would like to see it improve. We have been good neighbors and I wish I could say the same for
this commercial property. Most market - anchored centers are not operated or maintained in this
condition.
Again, we would welcome the redevelopment of the Albertson's shopping center with these
changes. These changes and requests would not overly burden the developer Catellus, which is
a ProLogis Company and publicly traded (NYSE:PLD). In the scope of this $25+ million asset the
additional costs required for the changes would be minimal and would be an investment for both
the developer and the community.
I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss this property and I would be happy to meet
with you to fully illustrate the concerns and impacts that are being discussed here. I'd like to meet
with some of you to walk the property. This Wednesday at 8AM would be ideal. I would also be
happy to discuss this with the developers.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your input.
Sincerely,
Drew Wetherholt
949- 466 -6088