Building heights drawn up

"You should expect to see something out of us in the next several years," said Bob Webster, president and CEO of the shopping center's development company.

The Nordstroms is currently 60-feet tall; it was erected before the city enacted a height limitation of 55 feet in the area. As part of a broad recommendation on its vision for the Bay Meadows race track, the group last night recommended that the height limitation at the shopping center be raised to 60 feet to bring the Nordstroms into compliance and allow for additional growth at the center.

The center could also cover more ground too, Webster said. One option might be expanding the Sears and the Nordstroms, which is the smallest Nordstroms in the Bay Area at 50,000 square feet.

This year, the shopping center generated $3.6 million in sales tax for the city - that's on top of the considerable property tax it also kicks in. To remain one of the city's major economic engines, Webster said the center must constantly re-invent itself and grow to stay competitive. The Hillsdale Shopping Center covers 275,000 square feet, compared to the Stanford Shopping Center, which covers 350,000 square feet.

Expansion would probably mean the construction of multi-level parking structures, Webster said.

Although the majority of the group supported the idea, some members said it was an odd time to bring up the matter; last night was the final meeting of the group in deciding height and density recommendations for the Bay Meadows development.

"I supported Hillsdale left and right when I was on the Planning Commission," said member Karen Herrel. "It just feels strange tacking this on at the 11-and-half-half-half hour. This is not the place or time for this discussion."

Member Henry Friedlander said it was a matter that should first be presented to the neighborhood associations that would be affected by the expansion.

Hayward Park

The talks were just one part of the vision the group has taken three years to conjure up for the transit corridor. Planners are proposing to create 2.1 million square feet of offices, 1,500 residential units, 100,000 square feet of retail uses and 15 acres of open space where the Bay Meadows race track currently stands. The idea is that office buildings near train stations would naturally have to be built up higher than four stories to make transit-oriented development viable.

Meanwhile, the group also determined that buildings immediately adjacent to the Hayward Park station should for the most part be capped at 55 feet. Since the area is mostly residential, the group decided there was little need for 75-foot tall buildings in the area- unless it was to create a landmark in an otherwise undistinguished neighborhood. If the building goes beyond 55 feet with a landmark - like a clock tower - developers will not have to provide public benefit. If the building climbs to 75 feet of "usable" space, developers will be required to provide public benefit.

Hillsdale

Earlier this week, the group decided building heights should be allowed to reach up to 55 feet around the Hillsdale station and 75 feet if public benefit is provided. Essentially, the group took language from Measure H and applied it to another part of the city. Measure H currently only allows for such heights in four designated areas throughout the city, however. The initiative was passed in 1991 and is set to expire in 2005.

In addition to expanding the area covered by Measure H, the group is also recommending the city work out a plan that would limit development to just a few 75-foot buildings in the area by the station.

Yunmi Choi can be reached by e-mail at yunmi@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.