Sunnyvales retail protection plan falls short, leaving it at risk of becoming a food desert

The Sunnyvale City Council approved changes to the Village Center Master Plan, which could lead to the demolition of grocery stores for new housing developments. The revised plan redefines zoning for seven retail spaces, allowing for mixed-use development that includes residential units. Residents have voiced concerns about losing essential food resources, prompting Himanshu Sethi to organize a petition that attracted over 1,800 signatures. He criticized the broad definitions of "retail" that fail to protect small businesses, fearing the neighborhood could become a food desert. Councilmembers lamented Senate Bill 330, which limits local control over development, making it difficult to deny proposals like those for Lakewood Shopping Center and Fair Oaks Plaza.

The city has initiated an incentive program to encourage developers to maintain retail space, but results remain elusive. Brittany Behr, a local resident, emphasized the importance of preserving family-owned businesses in the community. The council's actions reflect a tension between housing development and the preservation of vital services in historically underserved neighborhoods.