The “For Lease” signs have been taken off the old Kmart building on Clayton Rd. in Concord, as rumors swirl about the possibility of the property being rezoned for housing.
The City of Concord’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rezoning Project requires rezoning at least 20 acres in moderate- and high-resource areas for at least 1,000 new multifamily housing units.
The old Kmart property is tops on the list. Kmart locked their doors for the last time in February of 2020. Target was interested in moving in, but according to the former property manager, Lucky wouldn’t allow Target to move into the building because they sell groceries.
The Concord Planning Commission will hold a meeting on February 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 1950 Parkside Drive, to receive public input on the Draft Environmental Impact Report preparation. While the meeting offers an opportunity for the public to share their perspectives, written comments are also a valuable way to contribute to the process.
To ensure your voice is heard, please consider submitting written comments to Assistant City Manager – Justin Ezell at justin.ezell@cityofconcord.org. Your input is important, whether or not you are able to attend the meeting.
Click HERE to see a map of the sites being proposed for rezoning.
What are the consequences or whatever setback Lucky would impose if a Target that sells groceries moves in there? I wonder if it’s a financial thing but would be worth it?
Also I dont think we need more housing in this area. We need more businesses to serve the current residents. We have to go to Walnut Creek or Pleasant Hill to go to Target. Other ideas could be Home Depot, Lowes – because those are all on the other side of Concord. My favorite idea would be to have it as an open space with different restaurants
nizzynizz,
.
Lucky’s isn’t going to get rid of the non-competition clause in their lease so that a Target with a grocery department can move into the shopping center. There’s little to no upside for Lucky to do so.
.
Given that the Yardbirds/Home Depot in the Clayton Valley Center closed about 15 years ago, it’s highly unlikely that Home Depot or Lowes would move into the former Kmart location.
.
The State of California disagrees with you on the subject of additional housing in East Concord and South Concord, which is why they’re forcing the City of Concord to go through this overlay rezoning process. I believe this site is already zoned for housing, the city is adding the high-density housing option to this site because the owner of the property wants the high-density rezoning added to their property.
Man lucky supermarkets crying knowing they would lose business to a Target. Sure would be nice going to a concord store than commuting to the walnut creek store.
we also cant have a trader joes. Waaa lucky waaa. Man!
I buy groceries at Target often.
They are generally much less expensive than grocery stores and all I have to do is park in the pickup area and let them know what # spot I’m in (text msg.)
They bring it right out to the car.
If there is an item broken or missing I contact them from home and they credit me instantly!
It doesn’t get better than that.
Concord donut,
.
Lucky isn’t crying! They’ve got no reason to cry! The owner of the shopping center is the one who gave Lucky a non-competition clause in their lease. Target could open a store at this site without a grocery department. Put enough pressure on Lucky and organize a boycott of this location and Lucky will void the non-compete clause in their lease, if they’re sales are hurt enough.
Agree – we don’t need this turned into high rise high density housing – but again I’ll say it will happen … this was scoffed at before but its on the path to it with apparent rezoning.
They’re thinking high rise high density housing because not everyone can afford nor want a “monster home” which most contracting firms want to build because of the profit. So the future is for smaller homes and apartments. Maybe even row homes. I look at the monster homes people bought a block or two away and wonder is those folks only live in a few rooms because of the energy bills they get. And some of those think “what was I thinking?”
.
However for certain reasons that I know some here also know there may not be a big need for more housing. And monster homes can be turned into boarding houses (like they did during the Great Depression).
Captain Bebops,
.
Many of the newer apartment buildings in downtown Concord continue to have a large number of vacancies.
Captain Bebops,
.
This location is being considered for high density housing because the State of California is requiring that the City of Concord rezone properties for 1,000 additional housing units and because the owner of this property told the city that they want their property rezoned for high density housing.
You might need to reread the first line of what I said. 😉
.
BTW, the new condos nearby were expensive and I’ve learned many are in foreclosure. Glad I didn’t take the advice of my CPA when I asked how expensive a home I should buy. I learned the lesson decades ago when a relative bought a mansion for his business and they wound up living in the den because the place was too expensive to heat. Another relative who works for a big contractor confirmed to me monster homes are built for the profit (as long as they can be sold).
.
Yes, even the inexpensive housing many go vacant too for the “certain reason”. 😉
Captain Bebops,
.
Your first sentence stated, “They’re thinking high rise high density housing because not everyone can afford nor want a “monster home” which most contracting firms want to build because of the profit.” Who is “They’re”? The Concord Planning Commission and the Concord City Council arent thinking anything of the sort, except for what’s being mandated and put before them by the State of California. The property is already zoned for housing and commercial use. The high-density overlay is giving owners a third option. The state mandate doesn’t require that anything be built, only that a zoning change be completed by the city. Since the owner of the property can already build larger housing on the property, why would they tell the City of Concord that they want this zoning change? Do you really think that the owner of this property is asking for this change so that he, she, or they can provide affordable housing to the public, when you yourself stated there’s more profitability in large single family housing? If the owner chooses to build high-density housing here, they’re going to do so for profit, not out of the goodness of their heart(s).
.
If the people who purchased “monster homes” a few blocks away and can’t afford their utility bills, they’re free to sell their homes and downsize to a more affordable home and living situation, they don’t need to sacrifice and live in a small part of their homes, it’s their choice to sacrifice and live in a part of their homes, instead of living in their full home.
.
Will you please stop talking in code and just tell us what this “certain reason” is, or these “certain reasons” are, that you keep referring to, regarding the reason/reasons that you know why more housing isn’t needed, why “monster homes” can be turned into boarding houses, and why “inexpensive housing” may also go vacant.
Why not housing WITH an affordable anchor store? The loss of K-Mart really hurt.
If these aren’t going to be small – cottage-sized dwellings- and REALLY affordable, instead of the 5+bedroom, 3+ bathroom homes being put up all over the area, it will do no one any good. There are plenty of huge houses available, and “luxury” apartments no one can afford. 2-3 bedrooms, 2 baths, small yards – these are what this area lacks – or what’s costing a million dollars plus in older neighborhoods. Put the money into quality buildings, not “perks” like unused exercise rooms or swimming pools.
But that’s just my pipe dream.
Cee,
.
This property is privately owned and the owner is in business to make a profit, why would you think they’d make any future high-density housing “REALLY affordable,” which would hurt the profitability of their investment?
Enough speculation!
Does anyone have any FACTUAL information?
The other Frank,
.
Yes, this property will be rezoned to include high-density housing in addition to its current zoning options. The owner of this property has told the City of Concord that they want this additional zoning option.
More trucks rumbling through town in a highly congested area. Make it commuter housing with a dedicated shuttle to Bart and downtown. Get some cars off the road.
We definitely don’t need housing there. I’m not sure why that keeps coming up.
Concord needs to get its act together and stop making bad decisions.
Supposedly Aldi’s is looking for locations.
JustMe,
.
This keeps coming up because the State of California has mandated that the City of Concord rezone properties in East Concord and South Concord for an additional 1,000 high-density housing units. The property owners for all 7 of the properties being considered have told the City of Concord that they want their properties rezoned to include high-density housing in addition to current zoning options. Aldi’s can’t go into the former Kmart location because Lucky has a non-compete clause in their lease.
Many big homes are owned by big corporations or are owned by people who live in them and rent out one or two bedrooms for half their monthly mortgage amount, or homes where all rooms are rented out to individuals or couples.
What this area needs, and possibly the whole country, is to have more availability of studios and one bedroom apartments and homes. It would be nice to have a neighborhood of just studios or one bedroom homes or apartments. These studio and one bedroom homes or apartments could also be more affordable to build and to buy in comparison to mammoth homes (I know the Bay Area is expensive as well as home constructions prices). There are so many benefits to building more studios and one bedroom apartments. Not every one lives nor wants to live with 3-5 other people, some singles and couples just want to live alone.
Guess,
.
These are privately owned properties and these owners are going to build whatever gives them the best return on their investment. That’s not going to be studio apartments.
Awesome! Will not be good for property values in this area. Good job city council.
Man from Mars,
.
The Concord City Council hasn’t done anything yet. The fact that you’re happy and excited that development of the former Kmart site would lower property values in East Concord says so much about you.