News

Planners OK new Safeway 'Lifestyle' store near Fairgrounds

58,000-square-foot supermarket, to open late next year, will be city's largest

The Pleasanton Planning Commission Wednesday gave its unanimous approval to plans by Safeway to build one of its new "Lifestyle" supermarkets in Pleasanton with a scheduled opening of November next year.

It was the second preliminary approval this week of multi-million-dollar development projects in the city. On Tuesday, the City Council approved an agreement that will allow the annexation and commercial and senior residential projects on Staples Ranch on the city's far east side.

Safeway officials told planners that their new store will be on a 12-1/2-acre site Safeway is acquiring from South Bay Construction, which also has plans to build seven office buildings on the rest of the 40-acre parcel.

The multi-million-dollar Safeway complex will include the large supermarket and other small retail shops, restaurants, a drive-through pharmacy and outdoor dining. Safeway also is reserving an additional 10,000-square-feet for future expansion of its store.

Earlier plans to include a fuel station on the store site have been dropped.

Help sustain the local news you depend on.

Your contribution matters. Become a member today.

Join

That brought the only complaint from the Planning Commission as it completed its final consideration of Safeway's application.

"I was sorry to learn that Safeway has dropped the fuel station from its plans," said Planning Commissioner Arne Olson.

But when Safeway representatives first discussed its long-range plans for the Bernal site with the city Planning Commission in 2008, several commissioners indicated they might not approve the plan if Safeway insisted on including the gas station. Opposition also was expected from the owners of the Shell Oil service station that is located directly across Valley Avenue from the proposed Safeway store.

Safeway said its new store would be patterned after Lifestyle stores already open in Livermore, San Ramon, Alameda and Novato. Similar to those stores, it will feature foods under the "Eating Right" label for the calorie conscious and the big "O" for organics sections of foods.

Large open areas will include open bins for salads, pastries and cold cuts for the luncheon crowds with a sit-down area for dining. The store will include a Safeway pharmacy and space for allied vendors, including a bank and other services. The store will employ between 150 and 200 workers.

Stay informed

Get the latest local news and information sent straight to your inbox.

Stay informed

Get the latest local news and information sent straight to your inbox.

The firm's application for final approval is expected to be considered by the City Council next month. If approved then, Safeway said construction work will start immediately. Safeway has its funding in place and wants to open the new supermarket by November 2011.

Facing Valley, the store will back onto the southbound I-680 off-ramp. Driveways will be positioned along Valley Avenue and one on Bernal will link with the Koll Center driveway on the other side with a full-phase traffic signal to allow turns into and out of both centers in either direction.

Although larger and newer than the Pleasanton Safeway at Valley and Santa Rita Road, that popular store will remain open.

Scott R. Trobbe, a principal partner at South Bay Construction, said he still plans to develop the rest of the 40-acre site it owns into an office building complex. Plans for the four-story campus haven't changed much since 2000, when South Bay joined with Greenbriar Homes and others to acquire the full 510-acre Bernal site from the city of San Francisco, which had owned the land since the 1930s.

Greenbriar and KB Home have since built the homes and apartments the city of Pleasanton approved as part of the purchase agreement, that included 370 acres as a gift to the city for public uses. The city's first development on its property—lighted baseball fields—was completed last year.

In a presentation earlier to the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Trobbe said the office building market is still sluggish, but the synergism he expects potential office tenants to see with the Safeway complex could spur development.

His firm recently received a five-year extension of its building rights on the site.

"Times have changed in the 10 years since we bought this property and proposed the office buildings," Trobbe said. "People want to live closer to transportation, spend less time in their cars, walk to work, bicycle everywhere, and the Safeway store and other outlets will give them a nearby place to go."

At the council meeting when Trobbe was granted the development extension, Councilman Matt Sullivan suggested that perhaps the office park site should be considered for residential uses.

A front row seat to local high school sports.

Check out our new newsletter, the Playbook.

Follow PleasantonWeekly.com and the Pleasanton Weekly on Twitter @pleasantonnews, Facebook and on Instagram @pleasantonweekly for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Planners OK new Safeway 'Lifestyle' store near Fairgrounds

58,000-square-foot supermarket, to open late next year, will be city's largest

by / Pleasanton Weekly

Uploaded: Fri, Aug 27, 2010, 7:48 am
Updated: Sat, Aug 28, 2010, 8:07 am

The Pleasanton Planning Commission Wednesday gave its unanimous approval to plans by Safeway to build one of its new "Lifestyle" supermarkets in Pleasanton with a scheduled opening of November next year.

It was the second preliminary approval this week of multi-million-dollar development projects in the city. On Tuesday, the City Council approved an agreement that will allow the annexation and commercial and senior residential projects on Staples Ranch on the city's far east side.

Safeway officials told planners that their new store will be on a 12-1/2-acre site Safeway is acquiring from South Bay Construction, which also has plans to build seven office buildings on the rest of the 40-acre parcel.

The multi-million-dollar Safeway complex will include the large supermarket and other small retail shops, restaurants, a drive-through pharmacy and outdoor dining. Safeway also is reserving an additional 10,000-square-feet for future expansion of its store.

Earlier plans to include a fuel station on the store site have been dropped.

That brought the only complaint from the Planning Commission as it completed its final consideration of Safeway's application.

"I was sorry to learn that Safeway has dropped the fuel station from its plans," said Planning Commissioner Arne Olson.

But when Safeway representatives first discussed its long-range plans for the Bernal site with the city Planning Commission in 2008, several commissioners indicated they might not approve the plan if Safeway insisted on including the gas station. Opposition also was expected from the owners of the Shell Oil service station that is located directly across Valley Avenue from the proposed Safeway store.

Safeway said its new store would be patterned after Lifestyle stores already open in Livermore, San Ramon, Alameda and Novato. Similar to those stores, it will feature foods under the "Eating Right" label for the calorie conscious and the big "O" for organics sections of foods.

Large open areas will include open bins for salads, pastries and cold cuts for the luncheon crowds with a sit-down area for dining. The store will include a Safeway pharmacy and space for allied vendors, including a bank and other services. The store will employ between 150 and 200 workers.

The firm's application for final approval is expected to be considered by the City Council next month. If approved then, Safeway said construction work will start immediately. Safeway has its funding in place and wants to open the new supermarket by November 2011.

Facing Valley, the store will back onto the southbound I-680 off-ramp. Driveways will be positioned along Valley Avenue and one on Bernal will link with the Koll Center driveway on the other side with a full-phase traffic signal to allow turns into and out of both centers in either direction.

Although larger and newer than the Pleasanton Safeway at Valley and Santa Rita Road, that popular store will remain open.

Scott R. Trobbe, a principal partner at South Bay Construction, said he still plans to develop the rest of the 40-acre site it owns into an office building complex. Plans for the four-story campus haven't changed much since 2000, when South Bay joined with Greenbriar Homes and others to acquire the full 510-acre Bernal site from the city of San Francisco, which had owned the land since the 1930s.

Greenbriar and KB Home have since built the homes and apartments the city of Pleasanton approved as part of the purchase agreement, that included 370 acres as a gift to the city for public uses. The city's first development on its property—lighted baseball fields—was completed last year.

In a presentation earlier to the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, Trobbe said the office building market is still sluggish, but the synergism he expects potential office tenants to see with the Safeway complex could spur development.

His firm recently received a five-year extension of its building rights on the site.

"Times have changed in the 10 years since we bought this property and proposed the office buildings," Trobbe said. "People want to live closer to transportation, spend less time in their cars, walk to work, bicycle everywhere, and the Safeway store and other outlets will give them a nearby place to go."

At the council meeting when Trobbe was granted the development extension, Councilman Matt Sullivan suggested that perhaps the office park site should be considered for residential uses.

Comments

PTOWN RESIDENT
Country Fair
on Jul 23, 2010 at 7:29 am
PTOWN RESIDENT, Country Fair
on Jul 23, 2010 at 7:29 am

Yeah it would be nice to have a whole foods!!!!!!!!but oh well


seriously?
Downtown
on Jul 23, 2010 at 7:45 am
seriously?, Downtown
on Jul 23, 2010 at 7:45 am

Another marginal grocery store? Pleasanton needs quality options and more variety. How many Italian restaurants do we have downtown?


Happy
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:25 am
Happy, Pleasanton Meadows
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:25 am

I think it's great! Will be nice like Whole Foods but probably cheaper, and will serve west Ptown well.


What!!
Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:31 am
What!!, Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:31 am

Was dissapointed that the new Sasfeway isn't going to have the gas
station...They would have much lower gas prices than the Shell station..
Guess I will just continue to go to Dublin for my gas...


West Side Neighbor
Golden Eagle
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:35 am
West Side Neighbor, Golden Eagle
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:35 am

I for one am really excited about this new store. Safeway is a Pleasanton business and I appreciate their confidence in our city. How can anyone call the wonderful changes they have made in their stores "marginal". Looking forward to the new store in this location.


Boomama
Vintage Hills
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:38 am
Boomama, Vintage Hills
on Jul 23, 2010 at 8:38 am

Guess Whole Foods just didn't buy the land when it was available. That's too bad. I know people that drive from Fremont to go to the San Ramon store. Let's hope they at least add the gas station.


neighbor
Laguna Oaks
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:38 am
neighbor, Laguna Oaks
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:38 am

How will this super Safeway impact traffic? We have watched 7 traffic signals installed on Bernal since we moved into our home. It takes longer to get to downtown Pleasanton than it does to Dublin.


west side neighbor
Highland Oaks
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:44 am
west side neighbor, Highland Oaks
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

Maybe no one wants to open a business downtown due to all of the restrictions, any idea how hard it is to have a restaurant downtown with no parking, or street closures for "events" and then still pay the high rents. If you were a business owner what does the downtown have to offer besides stale restaurants, salons and banks. P-Town is a great community, but maybe it is not all about the downtown, we have great restaurants, shops, salons and parks that are not downtown who never seem to get the recognized.



mommyof4
Rosewood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:44 am
mommyof4, Rosewood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 9:44 am

I, for one, am HAPPY about having a reasonable priced grocery store coming to my area. I hate having to drive to Dublin for groceries, even though Raley's is just next door. Raley's is fine for a gallon of milk, but everything is priced so high. I'd rather drive a little, and pay better prices and have a better selection for my money. Whole Paycheck would have been ok, but again, only for specialty items. We have a new meat market downtown for fish, seafood, and cuts of meat. I do hope the gas station comes with Safeway. The other gas station needs some competition to bring their prices down. They are often 15 to 20 cents higher than other stations.

I would like to see a Farmers Market type stand in Pleasanton, year round. Something like Windmill Farms, in San Ramon. (not that thing at the mall!) Produce is too expensive in the grocery stores, and with the downtown farmers market only on the weekend, we run out of produce by mid week.


John
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 10:17 am
John, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 10:17 am

"... will employ between 150 to 200 workers ..."

... None of whom will be able to afford to live in Pleasanton, because we're all so concerned with keeping "low income" people out and preserving our affluent "Lifestyle" ...

(btw: Safeway is *not* less expensive than Whole Foods for certain types of items. Not at all. And WF ain't cheap either.)


bobbi
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 10:51 am
bobbi, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 10:51 am

if you want super priced groceries and you don't care about a drive, go to WinCo in Brentwood. You will SAVE a bundle on the same foods. incredible prices! and worth the drive.


Nosy Neighbors
Pleasanton Heights
on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:15 am
Nosy Neighbors, Pleasanton Heights
on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:15 am

For those who didn't understand the marketing concept they are shooting for, this will be a direct response & competitor to Whole Paycheck, er I mean Whole Foods. Which brings me to my rant of the day. Please, WF is a freaking joke of an excuse for PC yuppies to be seen by their like-minded (i.e. brainwashed) neighbors shopping for dolphin friendly cat food, politically correct carrots & wheat & gluten free bread. Gimmee a break, Safeway is a local company that is willing to put their $$ where their mouths are & develop this new concept store & are confident enough that they are putting it in their back yard. Besides when we finally build all that new low-income housing in town we'll need another grocery store won't we?


justsayin
Stoneridge
on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:45 am
justsayin, Stoneridge
on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:45 am

Nosy Neighbors, my family buys a lot of food from Safeway, but, really, Whole Foods meats and poultry do taste better. Safeway has expanded their organic produce and often has better prices there than Whole Foods does. Here's hoping Safeway does the same in meats and poultry.


Chris
Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Chris, Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 12:41 pm

Talk is talk unless supported by some type of proof. The people who push this kind of rumor usually have a pre-existing axe to grind with the company they are slandering.


colette
Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 2:45 pm
colette, Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 2:45 pm

Let's get the gas station there and provide a little friendly competition to the Shell station. Gas prices there are way too high! City Council: don't be bullied by the Shell folks. Of course they are going to fight that tooth and nail, as they will lose their monopoly on gas in that neck of the woods. No one is immune to commercial competition, so take a stand for the residents, and let Safeway build the gas station. Pleasanton residents deserve cheaper gas...otherwise we just drive to Safeway in Dublin or Costco.


HHR
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 3:57 pm
HHR, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 3:57 pm

I'd trade any of those mentioned above for a Mi Pueblo in Pleasanton.

Fresh homemade tortillas - Yay!


AVHS1995
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jul 23, 2010 at 4:42 pm
AVHS1995, Pleasanton Meadows
on Jul 23, 2010 at 4:42 pm

What ever happened to Pleasanton having a water park built over in that area? They would do great with a water park and it would bring more business into the Pleasanton community? Shadow Cliffs just isn't cutting it.


iwastheretoo
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm
iwastheretoo, Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm

a majority of planning commissioners supported having a gas station there at the last meeting on the subject.


Amanda
Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Amanda, Del Prado
on Jul 23, 2010 at 6:46 pm

We DO NOT need another Safeway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Allisa
Registered user
Pleasanton Middle School
on Jul 25, 2010 at 9:30 am
Allisa, Pleasanton Middle School
Registered user
on Jul 25, 2010 at 9:30 am

Didn't Pleasanton just agree to build low income homes? I believe that this property would have been a great place to build residential townhomes, along with a small play area for kids and walking trails. We do not need another grocery store, organic or not. The old store on Bernal and Kolln still sits empty, use that one and save the open land for better uses.


35_year_resident
Registered user
Golden Eagle
on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:17 pm
35_year_resident, Golden Eagle
Registered user
on Jul 26, 2010 at 1:17 pm

Hmmm, Pleasanton is so concerned about their "gateway" entrances to the town - yet they approve a grocery store at one of them? This store will be nice for the first year while all the Safeway execs swarm it with pride, then the service and quality will rapidly go down hill just like their other stores in the area. I'll continue to get my gas at the Shell station and then drive to Draeger's in Blackhawk for my shopping.


Res1971
Registered user
Castlewood
on Jul 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Res1971, Castlewood
Registered user
on Jul 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Another Safeway? Talking about corporate greed!

We have a pitiful downtown that needs small business to re-vitalize it. Last thing we need is another Safeway, cookie-cutter center. (Let me guess, it will have a Panda Express? Peet’s or Starbucks? CVS? A nail salon, a dry-cleaners, a Supercuts, a bank, etc etc.) The shopping center will cripple all the other ones in the area. Pleasanton doesn’t need another store. Didn’t one just close down?!!?!? How many of these corporate giants do you need in a city of 67,000 people?!

AND THE TRAFFIC! CalTrans is now installing Metering Lights at the Bernal/680 on and off ramps. That is going to be bad enough. But now with a new mega-center right there...ugh!

Would be nice if more residents of Pleasanton worried about what they already have and how to make it better, then going all googly eyed for another large shopping center that is not needed. Are they going to be closing down the other Safeway? I can’t see two Safeways that close to each other making it.

Bye Gene’s, Lucky’s, Koll Center Shopping area, Rita Aid, nice knowing ya!


Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.

Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.