There is a proposed plan where Safeway would turn a 25 acre plot they own into a giant 55,000 Safeway store with a pharmacy. This plot currently houses Safeway offices and is next to the Shadelands Business Park at Ygnacio Valley Road and Oak Grove. To do so, the zoning would need to be converted from commercial to retail and some Walnut Creek residents would not like to see this project go forward. Some of the reasons given against building are:
- too much competition for the Citrus Circle shopping center and Encina Grande center
- destroy the open space with trees and animals
- Shadelands Business Park will shed professional jobs as new businesses decide to go elsewhere
You can read more about the latest committee hearing on this Safeway plan here. Check out the official Shadelands Gateway Plan here.
So should Safeway be allowed to build a giant Safeway at this location? Do any of these reasons hold water? Does that part of Walnut Creek even need another Safeway considering there is already a Safeway across the street? Maybe the Encina Grande Safeway is too small to remodel possibly.