On Tuesday, the Brentwood Planning Commission approved a plan to bring three new buildings to The Streets of Brentwood.
In a 4-0 vote, the planning commission approved a design amendment for three new buildings in the central plaza of the Streets of Brentwood in a 4-0 vote. The move comes after CenterCal Properties purchases the Streets of Brentwood and are now looking to make improvements to the property.
Scott Bohrer, vice president of development at CenterCal Properties, spoke about the reimaging of the Streets of Brentwood which was creating a world class public space that serves as a destination while activating that space with vibrant food and beverage operators that can meet the demands of the community for a more elevated dining experience. While also bringing in a contemporary merchandising mix with retailers and services.
“Most recently we have welcomes Barnes and Noble in the 14-year vacant space by former REI and later this month we are excited to have Dutch Bros break ground on their building and tonight and the team is excited to be before you to share an update on that vision,” said Bohrer noting they were seeking three new buildings on site to support a more vibrant experience through the interior of the facility.
Bohrer called shade a “top priority” noting it’s something it’s a top priority from community members which they want to incorporate in every portion of the plaza redevelopment so people can enjoy it on hot days as well as canopy for all weather dining.
According to the staff report, the improvements include revisions to some of the landscape and hardscape features near the theater and within the central plaza area, as well as closing off the one-way vehicular circulation drive aisle in front of the theater. These improvements were administratively approved by staff in early February, based on substantial conformance with the originally approved plans. CenterCal now desires to make additional coordinated improvements involving the construction of three new buildings near the theater and monument signs at specific locations.
Three New Buildings
The applicant is proposing to construct three new buildings near the theater, as follows:
- A single-story 5,700 square foot building (identified on the plans as “B-8”) would be located directly north of the entrance to the theater, essentially mirroring the existing building located directly south of the entrance (formerly Mel’s Diner). This would also include an approximately 1,290 square foot covered patio at the south end of the building for outdoor seating.
- A single-story 846 square foot building (identified on the plans as “Pavilions PV-10 & PV-20”) would be located directly east of the entrance to the theater in the central plaza area. This would also include a 1,685 square foot covered patio wrapping around the east, south, and west sides of the building for outdoor seating.
- A single-story 1,608 square foot building (identified on the plans as “Pavilion PV-40”) would be located further east of the entrance to the theater but still within the central plaza area. This would also include a 568 square foot covered patio at the west end of the building for outdoor seating.
New Monument Signs
The applicant is proposing to both relocate and increase the amount of monument signs to provide enhanced entry identification along Sand Creek Road, as well as wayfinding interior to the center. The entry monument signs would be increased in height (from approximately 6’ to a maximum of 20’) for a more prominent identity consistent with the refreshed property image and improved visibility to vehicular traffic. The interior wayfinding signs would measure approximately 6’ in height by 3’ in width, for an overall area of 18 square feet, and would be strategically placed for both drivers and pedestrians
The original design review application and CEQA document for The Streets of Brentwood was approved by the Planning Commission in October 2006. This approval included an overall site plan for the 54-acre site and conceptual designs for 23 buildings totaling approximately 460,000 square feet. Construction started in 2007, and over the next several years the theater, core buildings, and several outlots (BJ’s, Red Robin, Black Angus, etc.) were completed. To date, approximately 42 of the 54 acres have been developed, with the remaining 12 acres all within the eastern quarter of the site. This area includes two recently approved projects (La Quinta/Hawthorn Suites and Dutch Bros) that have not yet started construction. From the original 54-acre parcel, 10 parcels have been created, the largest of which is 28 acres and includes the theater and core buildings.
Brentwood Economic Development Director Shares Insight
Ricardo Noguera, Brentwood economic development director, spoke in public comments offering a few thoughts on the proposed Streets of Brentwood plans.
“You don’t normally see me in the audience. You know I’ve been working behind the scenes trying to bring progress to Brentwood,” stated Noguera. “For the past three plus years since I arrived here in January 2022, I’ve been working on uplifting that center. Working with the folks at Fairborne Properties for almost three years. We were working to attract tenants such as the American Family Medical Group, Axes & Ales, Mathnasium, Dutch Bros, we worked with them to sell the land to La Quinta Hotel and to Sutter Health. So Sutter Health will be coming here sometime this year with a 100,000 sq ft medical office building on that 7-acre site.”
Noguera noted the Streets of Brentwood has had challenges and vacancies over the years while trying to fill the vacancies, but also create a sense of place—as many go to The Veranda in Concord and are spending their money in Concord or San Ramon.
“We are trying to change that,” stated Noguera. “If you have been going out to The Streets over the past few months, more and more energy is forming between The Streets of Brentwood and of course Lone Tree Plaza where Home Depot and Trader Joes, that is the highest grossing center along the I-4 corridor from Pittsburg to Brentwood. The Streets of Brentwood is catching up. We just celebrated the opening of Costco, there is more interest and retailing ready to come to Brentwood. What CenterCal is proposing is not just opening three new buildings and add signage, but to create a place where family members can come, have entertainment and create a real sense of place—the only place we have this is downtown. It will create another venue for folks in Brentwood, Antioch and Oakley to spend their money rather than driving west on Highway 4. I am very excited.”
Planning Commission Comments
Commissioner Gerald Johnson stated he liked the designs and what was being planned.
Commissioner Jeremy Jones also liked the designs and they made sense while aligning with the rest of the buildings. He also stated he appreciated the shading at The Streets. He was in support of the changes.
Commissioner Kristopher Brand called the concentration of shade in the center area was “stunning” between artificial and natural—calling it important. He said the plans made him “smile” and would make a wonderful addition to The Streets and community as a whole.
Commissioner Rod Flohr stated he had never been to The Veranda saying at 4:00 pm on a Saturday it was packed. He called it beautiful.
“Everything about it is what we aspire to here in Brentwood,” stated Flohr. “As I was walking through there the thought did run through my is this is what we need in Brentwood.”
He added, he believed in looking at the buildings, people are really just want to be there and the possibilities put before them is the kind of thing that will “wake things up” at The Streets of Brentwood and draw people in from other communities.
The item was approved in a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Anita Roberts absent.
Background:
The original design review application and CEQA document for The Streets of Brentwood was approved by the Planning Commission in October 2006. This approval included an overall site plan for the 54-acre site and conceptual designs for 23 buildings totaling approximately 460,000 square feet. Construction started in 2007, and over the next several years the theater, core buildings, and several outlots (BJ’s, Red Robin, Black Angus, etc.) were completed. To date, approximately 42 of the 54 acres have been developed, with the remaining 12 acres all within the eastern quarter of the site. This area includes two recently approved projects (La Quinta/Hawthorn Suites and Dutch Bros) that have not yet started construction. From the original 54-acre parcel, 10 parcels have been created, the largest of which is 28 acres and includes the theater and core buildings.
Documents:
Agenda – click here
Related
- Feb 1, 2025 – Barnes & Noble Opens at The Streets of Brentwood
- Oct 17, 2024 – Streets of Brentwood Has New Ownership
- Aug 7, 2024 – Dutch Bros at Streets of Brentwood Gets Approved
