Coastal Town Gives Developer A Major Challenge

After a $1.3 million campaign, residents of Pacifica, California rejected a developer's proposal for a new hotel, shopping center, and residential community master planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk. But the developer's not giving up yet.

1 minute read

January 23, 2007, 12:00 PM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


An 87-acre former quarry in the coastal town of tract homes and homes about 10 miles south of San Francisco was purchased by Peebles Corp. last year as the proposed site for a 350-room hotel, 355 housing units, and a shopping center at the Quarry.

A 1983 ballot measure, though, requires a vote of the people before any housing is allowed on the property, which is zoned for commercial use. Undaunted, Peebles hired DPZ and spent millions of dollars to try and win local support for the project. Ultimately, residents rejected the proposed due to traffic and environmental concerns.

"Officials from the firm will now go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that conforms to the local zoning code: 'We'll be shaping a project to include a major hotel and a retail use, which could be an outlet store or big-box retail. We're interviewing consultants and joint-venture partners.' "

Some opponents of the original plan now say "Peebles had threatened to put a Wal-Mart in the Quarry if his plans for a hotel and residential development were defeated."

Monday, January 22, 2007 in Las Vegas Business Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Tents set up by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Jose, California with American flag above them.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population

In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

March 14 - The Mercury News

Blue Atlanta streetcar on street in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan

City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.

March 14 - Saporta Report

New York City city hall building.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?

The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.

March 14 - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.