SANTA MARIA - The Santa Maria City Planning Commission will be asked this week to approve a slight change to a new commercial development project at the eastern entrance to the city along Betteravia Road.
Its a project the developer is excited about as well as the City of Santa Maria because it will bring new jobs and the all-important sales tax revenue.
The plan to develop the nearly five acre parcel next to the Crossroads Shopping Center along East Betteravia and Bradley Roads has been before city planners for about a decade.
The Los Angeles-based developer of the "Freeway Center" quotes real estate experts as saying the land is one of the most valuable, undeveloped pieces of commercial property in the state.
"Right now it seems very likely that a gas station is going to go in at the corner of Bradley and Betteravia", says Santa Maria City Planner Brian Halvorson who's been overseeing the Freeway Center project since its inception nearly 10 years ago, "that station is very anxious to submit buildings plans and move forward and build, a mini-mart, car-wash and canopy for the gas dispensing."
The city has permitted fast food and other food service outlets for the remainder of the site but no retail shops will be allowed.
"Right now there is no momentum for that side (of the project)", Halvorson says, "although McDonald's is very serious about going right next to the mini-mart and gas station and they want to build a new McDonald's right next door."
Caltrans estimates some 100,000 vehicles drove past the Freeway Center site on Highway 101 everyday, and some 40,000 vehicles went past it daily on Betteravia Road in 2011.
During peak rush hour periods, the corner of Betteravia Road and Highway 101 is extremely busy and known for fender-benders.
Some wonder if the Freeway Center project is a good location for a busy convenience strip mall amid the heavy traffic.
"Only two entrances are allowed on Betteravia", Halvorson says, "they also have an entrance on Bradley and an interior access within the (Crossroads) shopping center at Home Depot so it has plenty of access."
If the City Planning Commission approves the changes to the proposed gas station at the Freeway Center, construction could begin early next year.
