Connecting You to Your Community
Lodi, California •

Story Tools

Email this story | Print this story

Indexes

November 30th, 2008
November 29th, 2008
November 28th, 2008
November 27th, 2008
November 26th, 2008
November 25th, 2008
November 24th, 2008
ADVERTISEMENT

Lodi council to consider revisions on Reynolds Ranch project tonight

Updated: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 12:25 AM PDT

A proposal to add substantial commercial space to the Reynolds Ranch project in southeast Lodi is being heard by the City Council tonight at 7 p.m. at Carnegie Forum, 305 W. Pine St.

Initial plans called for nearly100 acres of homes, a K-12 school and 40.5 acres of commercial space, plus the nearly complete Blue Shield office building.

Developer Dale Gillespie is asking to remove 19 acres of homes, and has also cut plans for the school. He has asked to expand the retail area to 75.6 acres, build senior homes and a graduated senior care center.

Lodi's planning commissioners were divided on the request earlier this summer. Four voted to recommend it for approval, while three expressed concerns that the alterations were too drastic.

It is the largest mixed-use project ever proposed for Lodi.

Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock has questioned the proposal, saying it amounts to "piecemeal planning." She favors waiting for the general plan to be updated before approving a change of this scale.

Several homeowners near the project are concerned about commercial development close to their homes.

Others, including Councilman Phil Katzakian, say the developers' shift to more commercial development may be sensible in light of the changing economy and the tattered housing market.

Reader Feedback

t&c attacks wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:09 PM:

" By the way Susan, We know you do not respect dissenting opinions but your tantrums are wearing a little thin. The "lipstick" comment directed ad a fellow council member is uncalled for, unprofessional, disrespectful, and very unoriginal. (We heard that one during the RNC convention). Your suggestion that all work on the general plan be suspended is a bit over-the-top. Maybe it's time you resign before you have a complete meltdown. Thank you councilman Hansen, we appreciate it was difficult but you took the high road and ignored Susan's hostility. You are a class act Larry. "

t&c attacks wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:50 PM:

" I'm watching it and have a slightly different take. Susan is predictable with her "zero growth" efforts. If Joanne thinks that makes her a genius then I would like to know how the genius proposes to replace the lost revenues that would result from zero growth. Lodi taxpayers are not willing pay any of the shortfall. Zero growth is not sustainable in Lodi or in any other community. "

Whoa Nellie! wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:24 PM:

" Susan, thank you for taking your stand. "Planning at it's worst" is an understatement.

I suggest that everyone read today's stockton record, columnist Fitzgerald. He takes on the developers group who is now trying to take on city hall since they have finally said enough is enough to big dollar builders like Spanos, Grupe, etc.... "

Whoa Nellie! wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:35 PM:

" Is anyone online who is watching DG spill his guts?

Hitchcock and Mounce go at it again... "

Timothy wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:51 PM:

" Dogs4you, I have to agree with you. Why would a restaurant want to take a risk at Reynolds Ranch? The traffic will be horrific. I look at the map. One end dumps onto a two lane Harney and the other end dumps into a 2 lane frontage road that empties onto a two laned Armstrong.

I drove around yesterday looking at empty retail stores. Lodi is hardly screaming for more retail store spaces.

The Lowes Center is gorgeous and has easy access. If a retail store or a restaurant cannot make it there why would anyone think they would thrive in Reynolds Ranch? "

dogs4you wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:37 PM:

" Zin you don`t have to convince me, since I don`t live in that area. You have to show just cause as to why any business should take the gamble to open a store in Reynolds Ranch. First of all, the area isn`t traffic friendly. 3 maybe 4 retail stores sit idle in Vintners Sq. They were built as speck in the hope a business would settle in, so far nothing. I would suggest filling these empty buildings up before adding more. Good restauants, a huge eletronics store, anchored by Wally-World would change the entire look of that field of weeds. With the coming of 100`s of new homes that will border Lower Sac. on the west side all the way to Harney, there will be enough people to keep all the business` in business. "

dogs4you wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:23 PM:

" Zin any restauant is at risk and many fail. Many have failed on School St. for any number of reasons. At Reynolds Ranch for instance, a small amount of residential and senior housing make up the area and for the most part would frequent the eateries. Most is retail and would for the most part close down when the sun goes down, just like downtown except for the bars. If any restauant is in business, that is still not a sigh that they will remain in business. Look a Carrows, closed without warning, also Cottage Bakery. I can only think on one bar and restauant that remains busy and thats Chili`s in Vinterns Sq. Pick-up Sticks went out of business in less than a year in operation. Pier One, is on the verge. One good thing for the senior in Reynolds Ranch, they can watch the trains go by all hours of the day and night along with the lucky homeowners that will live on S/E cornor of Harney and the RR tracks. Hwy. 12 at Lower. Sac. can handle the traffic, can Reynolds Ranch say the same. "

Zinfandel wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:36 PM:

" dogs4you wrote: The area located at Hwy. 12 and Lower Sac. is availale and should be used. "

Yes, it is available, but Reynolds Ranch Development is already started. The area located at Hwy. 12/Lower Sac. is still just bare land. And besides, the westside of town has plenty of stores. The eastside is underserved and deserves to have commerical stores located near their homes. "

Zinfandel wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:26 PM:

" dogs4you wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" flowerchild: I`m not sure what it would take to get a good sit-down restauants to risk coming into that area.

dogs4you, what do you mean exactly by "risk coming into that area". Can you tell me what you mean by your statement? "

dogs4you wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" flowerchild: I`m not sure what it would take to get a good sit-down restauants to risk coming into that area. Olive Garden always comes to mind as far as outstanding food is concerned, also the Outback, however I don`t think thats going to happen, and looking at the proposed plan for `08, seniors are in and the school is out. A small amount of retail is proposed, just what that area needs, more empty buildings. I would suggest filling the alread empty buildings that are all over town. The Lakewood mall for instance, next school and Sacramento St. Perhaps the proposd senior houseing in Reynolds Ranch will move the seniors from gang ville on Lockford Ave to a more safe location. The area located at Hwy. 12 and Lower Sac. is availale and should be used. "

flowerchild wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:54 PM:

" It would be nice to have some restaurants in that area. Right now we have to go down Kettleman to find some sit down eateries. And the last few times I visited those restaurants, the service and food was terrible. I'm ready for some competition. Also, Lodi is in need for senior housing... "

marzo2008 wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:49 PM:

" judy. they don't have commonsense. oh, you have to remember that their pockets are getting some kickbacks. they tend to look the other way then. it never fails to see how things are going in this town. we just get alot of waste and money wasted. just like i.e. the delta college site on victor road. we all knew it would not happen. now that they have wasted most of the money just on mountain house how would we even see a campus near lodi. why not use the old walmart when they move across the street. then it would be a matter of paint and a sign change. "

judy wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Does Lodi REALLY need more commercial space at this time? Sorry for Gillispie that the housing market is not good now, but more commercial space is not the answer - except for his wallet. Commercial space should not even be considered without a new Environmental Impact Report done. Why is no one in power telling him one must be completed? "

commonsense1 wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:40 AM:

" How shocking. Edumacation/t&c is calling people names again. My, oh my, what are we ever going to do? I have to admit, his posts do offer some comic relief. "

edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:23 AM:

" To Whoa Nellie! Do you think the Lodi GOB will visit the new Hooters or are you just dreaming? "

edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:22 AM:

" This gal will not be working at Hooters, unless its as an accountant. LOL "

edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Make them swear under the pains and penalties of perjury. We need to do the same with Realtors, appraisers and bankers. Watch the stock market tank down another 360 points as new buyers flee from their shacks. Now is the best time to buy! Buy buy---bye bye! LOL "

Whoa Nellie! wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Rushbo- stop teasing me with talk of a Hooters coming to lil ol Lodi. Lodi needs a good sports bar, that's for sure.

Edmu- t&c's one of many alter-egos rears its ugly head once again.

I STILL SAY SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE. "

El Rushbo wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:49 AM:

" THIS JUST IN!!! Rumor has it that Hooters has agreed to open a restaurant in Reynolds Ranch!! Hot diggity-dog!!! "

edumacation wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:30 AM:

" Our city council needs to get honest information from developers and contractors. It costs us lots of problems AND MONEY when we must endure a promoter with the typical "dog and pony show", where promises are made yet there is NO intention to keep them.

Lets put these "high rollers", and multiple named entities on sworn statements not sales hype. If you don't make affirmations under the penalties of perjury about your projects---its a LIE.

Lets try this tactic to force the truth out of these schemers. Why will the GOB cheerleaders get upset with the truth?

The threat of Perjury charges will keep these promoters from making more false promises. If we had a state law about this, our statte government probably wouldn't be facing a budget deficit. "

Comments on this story are now closed.