Plans call for a new Target in Vista's business park

By: ANNE RILEY-KATZ - Staff Writer | Monday, August 1, 2005 9:24 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- A new Target store is in the works for the Vista Business Park, adjacent to a small retail center at the northeast corner of Poinsettia Avenue and Business Park Drive, city officials announced this week.

If plans submitted to the Vista Planning Department in April are approved, a large, now-vacant parcel may be transformed into the city's second location of the popular big-box chain. The first, a Target Greatland, opened in 1997 in North County Square retail center, near Sycamore Avenue and University Drive.

City planning staff said Monday that the project application calls for a 137,000-square-foot building for the Target store, with 10,260 square feet of adjacent space planned for retail shops and an additional 5,520 square feet slated for an unnamed restaurant.

The project application proposes 689 parking spots for the Target store, restaurant and retail shops, slightly more than the city's requirement of one spot for every 200 square feet of retail space.

"Their application looks good, and should be complete within the next couple of months," Community Development Director Robin Putnam said. "Once that's taken care of, the required environmental study can begin. It's a well-designed project with a nice, modern look to it."

"We understand from the city that (the environmental study) will be at least 18 months long, so the timeline really depends on the city approval process," said project coordinator Doug Cooper of Tustin-based Greenberg & Farrow Architects. The Planning Commission and City Council must approve the study report.

Cooper referred calls to Target Corp. for additional comment, but company representatives did not return phone calls Monday.

The 18.3-acre property, which was agricultural land used for decades as a large produce stand, was once owned by Hans and Jenny Ledri, both longtime Vista residents. The couple died in April 2003 of injuries sustained in an car accident, and the property was sold to Target.

Putnam said the adjoining parcels for the stores and restaurant would likely be sold after preliminary grading and site work is done.

Local business people who stopped by an existing retail strip in the business park said they would welcome the addition.

"It will be massively convenient," said Cody Ashwell, chief executive officer of Javo Beverage Co., which is in the business park. "Those kind of stores are typically driven by residential traffic, so it will be nice for the nearby homes. Once (the city of Carlsbad) completes the Melrose Drive extension, that will really take the burden off Business Park Drive and some of the other streets, and bring people in from surrounding cities."

Ashwell said the addition may help slow some drivers on Poinsettia Avenue, whom he said often drive dangerously fast.

"It seems like a good location," said Mayor Morris Vance on Monday. "It'll sure bring something to the citizens who live in the area, the southwest part of Vista, then the northeast portion of Carlsbad and some of San Marcos."

Contact staff writer Anne Riley-Katz at (760) 731-5799 or ariley-katz@nctimes.com.