The Campbell Reporter

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Creekside Way project would include a hotel, offices and parking structure

By Koren Temple

For five years the city has been trying to develop the property along Creekside Way. Now Don Bragg, a developer from Sand Hill Development, could finally turn those plans into a reality. But the developer has to accomplish it in three years, not the five he requested.

The Campbell Planning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 26 to reinstate a planned-development permit to allow the construction of a mixed-use complex that will include a seven-story hotel, a five-story office building and two six-level parking structures at 649 Creekside Way.

Planning Commissioner Liz Gibbons was absent, and Commissioner Bob Alderete recused himself because he lives within 500 feet of the proposed project.

Bragg wanted the project's time frame extended, citing changes in the commercial market, which has softened as a result of a downturn in the economy.

But the commissioners thought otherwise.

"I'm opposed to the five-year extension. The permit before was for five years, and this one would be for another five years for a total of 10 years," said Commissioner Tom Francois, emphasizing the length of time with all 10 fingers. "I would only be supportive of three years, and no more."

Sand Hill Development received city approval in 2000 to build the seven-story hotel on the Creekside Way property, just south of the Highway 17 interchange at Hamilton Avenue. But after the dot-com bust, Sand Hill was unable to proceed.

After sitting on the lot for three years, Sand Hill offered to sell the hotel site to Matrix Lodging in 2003 if the Campbell Redevelopment Agency sold Sand Hill the downtown Master Development site.

Sand Hill began developing the mixed-use project downtown property across from Sonoma Chicken Coop this year. That project will include 22 residential units above restaurants and businesses on E. Campbell Avenue.

Matrix Lodging intended to build a brand of hotel called Esuites, but the deal with Matrix Lodging fell through in May 2005. In July 2005 Sand Hill once again indicated it was interested in building a hotel on Creekside Way.

"We are still very serious about this development, and we aren't interested in walking away. We are trying to get this built sooner than later," Bragg said.

During the discussion Commissioner Alderete became Campbell resident Alderete, and returned as a member of the audience and to represent his Pruneyard Villa's Homeowners Association on issues of noise.

"There already is a lot of ambient noise in this area reflected off the glass of the Apple building from traffic on Highway 17 and from the light rail tracks," said Alderete, who lives on Birch Drive, a 57-member townhome development near the freeway.

Alderete said to avoid increased noise in his development, the new parking garages should resemble the structure in downtown Campbell, where the cement surface is rougher. He told the commissioners that after the Pruneyard parking garage was built, noise in his area increased and with the smooth surface "you can hear tires squeal."

Alderete suggested a spray-on treatment for the garage floors that could absorb some of the sound. He also suggested the developer supply homes in the area with double-pane windows, as the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority did when the light rail was constructed in 2005.

"We are asking for a little more transition for a neighborhood in transition," Alderete said.

Bragg said he was unaware of existing noise conditions.

"That is new information to us," he said, "but before we start buying windows, I hope we can have some in-between steps to deal with the acoustics. I would like to better understand how our project affects the neighborhood."

He suggested an acoustic study to determine the potential impact of the hotel and its accompanying parking structure and office.

The commissioners supported the acoustic study, saying the noise levels need to be quantified, and added it to the conditions of approval. The installation of a traffic light at the project driveway was also included in the conditions.

The commissioners also requested traffic analysis information from the planning department.

An updated traffic analysis was completed in August after the opening of Kohl's and the Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The commissioners were told on Sept. 26 that the study indicated traffic was operating at acceptable levels.

"I find that amazing that this area is at acceptable levels," Commissioner Mark Ebner said. "I avoid the area completely because it is already so congested."

Sand Hill Development plans to present an application for a 150-room Hilton Garden Inn to the planning department by mid-October, according to Sand Hill Development partner Jeff Warmoth.