Proposed Whole Foods market, residential units win Sacramento planning panel’s support

A proposed mixed-use development that would bring a Whole Foods market, housing and additional commercial space to Sacramento’s midtown has been endorsed by the city’s Planning and Design Commission.

Commission members Thursday variously praised the project as “foundational,” “transformational” and a “game changer” for the midtown neighborhood and efforts to “repopulate” the central city.

The project, proposed by Pappas Investments, involves two sites: one on the north side of L Street between 20th and 21st streets, and one on the northeast corner of 21st Street and Capitol Avenue.

A two-level parking garage and two-story office building on L Street would be demolished to make way for an approximately 41,000-square-foot Whole Foods market, 141 residential units and three levels of parking.

The existing parking at 2001 L St. serves tenants at 2020 L St. The proposal calls for a new six-level parking structure at 2011 Capitol Ave. to accommodate the tenant parking that would be displaced by Whole Foods and the residential project. The parking structure also would feature 12,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

The project has received support from community and business groups, and commission members praised the applicant for working with the community to resolve concerns.

The commission’s recommendation for approval of the project will be forwarded to the City Council, which will hold a hearing on the proposal during a special meeting Aug. 6.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Proposed Whole Foods market, residential units win Sacramento planning panel’s support."