Drivers along East Dunne Avenue may soon have a 10th stop light
to contend with if the Planning Commission approves a requested
development at its meeting tonight.
Drivers along East Dunne Avenue may soon have a 10th stop light to contend with if the Planning Commission approves a requested development at its meeting tonight.
The applicant, Wai Yan Ho of Cupertino, wants to build an 18,450 square-foot strip mall and office building on the northwest corner of Murphy and East Dunne avenues, next to the existing strip mall that contains a Taco Bell, a pizza restaurant and a Subway sandwich place. The entire property is zoned for retail stores, officers, personal services and restaurants but is limited to only three fast-food establishments.
In order to add to the fast-food mix, Ho is asking for a waiver from the Commission – a “conditional use permit” to allow for more small eating establishments. Coffee, sandwich and ice cream shops are mentioned in the staff report. The adjacent center has a frozen yogurt shop and an empty space where a coffee express business once existed.
Traffic flow is to be controlled by entrances onto East Dunne to the south, Murphy to the east and Condit Road on the west. The parking lots of the two centers will join and the main drive aisle of the proposed center will meet the present 30-foot-wide requirement. The Taco Bell/Subway lot is tighter; according to Terry Linder of the city Planning Department, it was built before the 30-foot requirement was set.
In order to mitigate traffic problems, the city staff report said Ho might be required to install a traffic light at Murphy and East Dunne avenues. The light would be less than one-tenth of a mile from the Condit/East Dunne light.
Staff recommendation is for approval, subject to the considerations before the commission. If the Planning Commission approves the zoning amendment, the matter goes on to the City Council at a later date.
The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: 779-7271. Commission meetings are broadcast live on cable access channel 17. The city’s website is www.morgan-hill.ca.gov
Details: 779-7271. Council meetings are broadcast live on cable access channel 17. The city’s website is www.morgan-hill.ca.gov
