Attention Sonoma shoppers: Safeway seeks expansion

Grocery chain proposes gas station, 30 percent retail space increase|

Safeway Corp. has submitted a proposed renovation to the City of Sonoma that includes an expansion of its West Napa Street store and the addition of a new nine-pump gas station.

The City of Sonoma Planning Commission will host a study session at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 in the Community Meeting Room on First Street West to discuss the plans. One topic of discussion will be Safeway’s options to mitigate the existing traffic and pedestrian safety issues on Fifth Street West at Studley Lane, near Sassarini Elementary School.

The Safeway supermarket at 477 W. Napa St. was built in 1974. The 6.8-acre property is actually three parcels, one of which is as of yet undeveloped. The expansion of the store relies on the use of that vacant 2.9-acre parcel owned by the company. The open land abuts Sorrento Scooter Imports to the north.

Beyond the store expansion and the new fuel center, the plans include a study of Safeway’s driveway entrances, a study of the intersection at Fifth Street West and Studley, new parking, pedestrian and bike pathways and new landscaping throughout.

The plans call for the store to increase in size from 49,825 square feet to 65,000 square feet, with the new space added along the eastern wall of the store.

The proposed plans call for Safeway to hire a transportation consultant to study the intersection of Fifth Street West and Studley, with an emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

On Nov. 7, 2012, 93-year-old Alvin Hesse of Sonoma was struck and killed crossing Fifth Street West at Studley Street. According to the Sonoma Police Department, there have been at least 10 reported traffic incidents at that intersection in the last 10 years.

“It is so terribly dangerous for the many elderly that come from Studley Street and around from the senior home and the children who walk in that area to get to and from school,” said local teacher Renee Magnani. “I have witnessed so many near accidents there that it’s frightening.”

The new service station along Safeway’s frontage on West Napa Street would have nine pumps and a small kiosk but no service bays. The new gas station would be the fourth inside the Sonoma city limits. While the Chevron gas station one block west of the Safeway store currently honors Safeway fuel rewards program participants, the nearest Safeway-branded gas station is 20 miles away on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa.

The proposed renovation would not include a housing component. According to the initial plans submitted to the City, because of “the vacant parcels landlocked position, challenging access, and creek/culvert restraints,” the site’s viability as a residential opportunity is minimal.

When reached for comment, Safeway communications manager Wendy Gutshall said, “Safeway is performing outreach and seeking feedback on a renovation of the Sonoma store, expansion on the produce side, and possible fuel station on the corner of West Napa and Fifth Street West.” She went on to point out that no formal applications have yet been filed. Representatives from Safeway have recently met with the adjoining neighbors and have taken into account their comments, according to the materials filed.

Safeway, Inc. was founded in 1915 and was acquired by private equity investors in January 2015. The new merged company, which includes the Albertsons and Vons supermarket chains, has more than 2,200 stores and over 250,000 employees which makes it the second largest supermarket chain in North America. The company is headquartered in Pleasanton.

The Safeway site plan and draft proposal are available at Sonoma City Hall and will be online immediately prior to the Aug. 11 meeting.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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