New developer to join shopping center renewal

Posted on Thu, Jun. 23, 2005
San Jose Mercury News

A new developer plans to take over part of the redevelopment of Hacienda Gardens Shopping Center in the Cambrian Park neighborhood.

Toll Brothers, a home builder with headquarters in Horsham, Pa., will take the block north of Foxworthy Avenue, said Tona Duncanson, chief of staff for San Jose City Councilwoman Judy Chirco.

A community meeting on the change will be held Tuesday at Kirk Community Center, 1601 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose.

The redevelopment of Hacienda Gardens -- a supermarket-anchored retail center surrounded by single-family houses -- has been in the works for around five years.

Neighbors opposed plans to replace shops with housing, and especially disliked developer KT Properties' plans to build apartments rather than condominiums.

The entry of Toll Brothers could ease some tension. Like KT Properties, Toll Brothers plans to build 244 units in buildings of as many as three floors, but the units are expected to be condos rather than rentals, Duncanson said.

She added that plans show townhouses around the perimeter of the site with one-, two- and three-bedroom flats in the middle. The townhouses will have two-car garages, and underground parking will be provided for condo residents.

The changes require approval by San Jose's planning director, unless his decision is appealed to the city's planning commission.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/11964534.htm