Vons’ plaza plans gain city approvals

The proposed remodel and expansion of the Vons market on Foothill Boulevard gained approval of the city’s planning and design commissions earlier this month and, assuming the city’s requested additional details are provided by the company, folks could see work begin in the coming year. That’s giving some residents high expectations for the potential of recent development in La Cañada Flintridge.

“I’m very excited about Vons’ interest in moving forward and upgrading the store, as well as the center,” said Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Del Guercio. “That just goes along with a revitalization and excitement in the community that is going to make this a better place to shop and keeps it an enjoyable place to live.”

However, although plans are moving forward at the city level, according to Vons spokesman Richard Garcia, the project is “still in the planning stages,” and the company hasn’t yet decided whether to go with a remodel or expansion of the current structure.

Despite this, the drawings Vons provided the city of La Cañada Flintridge’s planning department show a complete renovation of the building and parking area that includes the Vons market, Rite Aid and T.J. Maxx stores, as well as a church, restaurant and a few smaller retail businesses.

One of the most significant changes, according to the proposed plans is the market portion, which would go from its existing 26,107-square-foot space to a 41,773-square-foot facility. That includes a 1,370-square-foot mezzanine level.

Also proposed, planning department director Robert Stanley explained, is a tear-down of the old bank building at the site, and removal of some of the existing trees, which would provide additional space for parking and retail. About 276 additional parking spaces would be added, according to the architectural drawings. “It’s a much more efficient layout,” Stanley said, adding that a condition of the tree removal is the planting of replacement trees.

The new structures are expected to be of a mission or Mediterranean style, with tile roofs and craftsman-style beams. There will be wrought iron and stonework accents, as well as landscaping and trash enclosures, Stanley said.

Although the planning and design commissions are “happy with” the concept, Stanley said, additional paperwork is needed before the city signs off on the project. For example, he added, the city has requested details such as the quality of materials that will be used in the project, to ensure they are “all timber, and not the fake stuff.”