The Sunnyvale City Council has approved a retail preservation program aimed at retaining commercial space in aging retail centers facing redevelopment into housing. This initiative allows developers to bypass affordable housing mandates if they include more retail, addressing community concerns about becoming a food desert. Community Development Director Trudi Ryan noted developers show interest but lack financial commitment, highlighting the challenge in balancing housing demand with retail preservation. The program targets specific village centers, with the hope of enhancing local commerce in historically underserved areas of North Sunnyvale.
"In my conversations with the developers of both of those sites, they expressed interest in this program, but they have not made a commitment," Ryan said at the meeting. "It's an incentive, it's not a requirement, and they're still evaluating whether or not it's financially worthwhile for them."
Residents have been sounding the alarm over the plans to eliminate retail, saying the proposals would turn North Sunnyvale into a food desert.
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