News Stand
Campbell approves Camera Cinemas
On April 23, the Campbell Planning Commission approved the reestablishment of a movie theater at the Pruneyard Shopping Center. The theater will be renovated with four screens showing first-run commercial movies and three screens featuring first-run specialized, independent or art films.
The old United Artists theater was vacated in 1999. Once remodeled, it will provide patrons with stadium seating and curved movie screens. It will also accommodate more than 1,000 moviegoers, have an inside concession area and offer an outside cafe in front of the theater. The outside cafe, with capacity for 14 patrons, will be catered by Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza and offer wine and beer.
Camera Cinemas co-owner Jim Zuur said the cinemas plan to work with the Pruneyard to offer special incentives that encourage moviegoers to park in the parking structure.
Gilman Avenue condos on hold
A proposal to build 29 condomium units at 117 Gilman Ave., the site of the former Campbell Trailer Court, was put on hold when the developer, Coroem Builders, told the city it wanted to redesign the project to eliminate underground parking.
The high cost of underground parking led the developer to reconfigure the project such that all parking is above ground. It will also require a redesign of the project's open space.
The developers told Community Development Director Sharon Fierro that the project "doesn't pencil out" and that they needed to go back to the drawing board.
The new project will be brought before the commission in a study session May 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Three homes in STNA approved
After working for three months with the San Tomas Neighorhood Association (STNA) and Campbell city planners, developer Omid Shakeri had his proposed three-home development at 1274 Walnut Dr. approved by the planning commission on April 23.
The project was initially brought before the commission Jan. 22, but the STNA voiced concerns that the homes would not conform with the neighborhood. Many residents said the houses would affect the rural character of the community and wanted the developer to scale back the project.
The developer agreed to review the project with STNA members and city planners. After lengthy discussions and revisions, the project was modified to satisfy residents and city staff.
The commission said it was a great example of the community working together to achieve a viable project.
Campbell, California
