Oct 26, 2009 7:16 pm US/Pacific
Walnut Creek To Vote On Neiman Marcus, Schools
WALNUT CREEK (BCN) ―
Walnut Creek voters will be deciding in the Nov. 3 election whether to approve an initiative that would make way for a new retail store such as Neiman Marcus in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek.
Measure I would amend the city's general plan and zoning ordinance to allow a two-story retail building to be built on the corner of South Main Street and Mount Diablo Boulevard.
The agreement would require the developer to provide street and intersection improvements and financial contributions toward parking and transportation improvements, but would allow the developer to meet the city's parking requirements with an employee-only parking lot.
Proponents of the measure claim that the new store would bring additional sales tax revenue to the city, improve parking and safety for drivers and pedestrians in the downtown area and create new jobs in the community.
Opponents argue that the new store would exacerbate traffic and parking problems in the already congested downtown area. They claim that Measure I essentially allows the developer to avoid paying for standard traffic and parking mitigations designed to protect the public's interests.
Opponents also claim that the measure would allow the developer to double the floor space currently allowed without guaranteeing that the new store would be a Neiman Marcus store.
The measure must be approved by a majority vote.
Walnut Creek voters will also be asked to weigh in on a proposed parcel tax measure that would provide stable local funds for the Walnut Creek School District.
If passed, Measure H would impose an $82 parcel tax beginning in July 2010.The measure, which has no expiration date, would replace the existing $82 parcel tax, which is scheduled to expire at the end of June 2011.
No arguments against Measure H have been filed.
A similar replacement parcel tax is also being proposed for the Acalanes Union High School District.
Measure G would replace an existing $189 per year parcel tax set to expire at the end of June 2011 with a new $189 per year parcel tax that has no expiration date.
No arguments against Measure G have been filed.
Both parcel taxes require approval of two-thirds of the voters.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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