Well, it looks like Merlone Grier is playing games again. He will dangle a seemingly tempting offer to keep Milk Pail afloat, if only we agree to destroy the livability of North Mountain View. Eight screen movie theater and culture-free restaurants?

I'm sure if the Council caves into whatever MG wants, will result in this so-called "parking agreement" with Milk Pail losing ownership of their property.

@Games People Play -- My thoughts exactly. Didn't Merlone Geier try this same exact tactic before, when they insisted that they had a plan that would keep the Milk Pail in operation -- and then withdraw it a couple of days later?

I don't know who is worse in this case -- the developers, or their flunkies in City Hall.

As a loyal customer of the Milk Pail, of course, I want to see their current location preserved with adequate parking as a viable option for long-term use. What I don't seem to hear addressed is what is the plan for the traffic congestion issue. I do not see how either San Antonio Road or California Street can be expanded in either direction to accommodate more cars that will be on the roads due to this enormous expansion. As a resident in a neighborhood who will be seriously impacted by the increased traffic night and day, I am beginning to wonder how I will get in and out of my house or my neighborhood. As it is, I am already frustrated by the long lines to turn left on to California Street from San Antonio Road, or the increased traffic driving on San Antonio Road to get to #101. I worry that people will discover short cuts which will only increase traffic in residential areas. Get real. Not everyone is going to commute to work or go to a hotel or to a movie complex by Caltrain or on a bicycle.

What is missing in the M-G announcement are the words prefacing their statement.

It should read - "If, and only if, City Council approves Phase II as M-G wants it, The Milk Pail will be preserved in its current location."

If it's not in writing. . .and signed. . .

I would have been 'more in favor' of high density (12 story Avalon Towers like) residential replacement for one office tower -but- THANKS to the efforts of outgoing councilwoman Ronit Bryant (and others) this will be (IMO) a really excellent small community center. It will take some of the usage pressure off of Castro St. It is walkable for a very reasonable section of SW Mountain View, SE Palo Alto (new residential along ECR), and even, dare say, NW Los Altos (do They Walk?).
To me -MG has been a reasonable developer. Thanks.

@pro nice-development -- So how much is Merlone Geier paying you for posting that?

I am constantly amazed at the naivety (or willful ignorance) of folks who post on Townsquare on this topic. Have you EVER stopped to think that Steve Rasmussen (owner of the Milk Pail) has been playing all of you for a fool? His use of this issue (redevelopment of the site) has been masterful to drum up not only sympathy for his business, but also increase his revenue. In other words, he's been using you to help drive up the price of his little piece of land hoping to extract more money from the developer so he can retire in comfort.

Merlone Geier has offered to buy the Rasmussen’s property several times. He would not sell as he wanted more money. They offered to relocate his business AND buy the land for the new location. Rasmussen would not accept. He is being greedy, plain and simple. And you demand the City get involved to fix it? Why? Where were you when The Boardwalk went away? Where is the outrage about Harv’s Carwash? Nearly every short term restaurant on Castro Street? The hypocrisy on this issue is stunning. Imagine your next door neighbor building a second story on their house. Would you demand that they move you and your family? Would you demand that they buy your house for multiples of what it is worth? That’s what Steve is demanding.

In this situation, Steve Rasmussen has gambled his business; he simultaneously won and loss. He “won” because his business will stay. Merlone Geier doesn’t have to give him squat, but they are capitulating to public pressure. [Steve knew years ago he was violating Mountain View’s parking ordinance for businesses AND he knew that it was a risk that the property owner to which he contracted with to fix his parking problem may not extend his contract or that the property could be sold and leave him in the lurch. He knew this. After all, this was a private deal between him and the adjacent property owner.] He “lost” because he wanted the BIG corporate developer to buy his property for millions more than his little plot of land is worth and he got outplayed.

So MG is giving him his required parking, adjacent to his store retaining the business in Mountain View in its current location. You can continue to shop there, you should be overjoyed (unless you're a bandwagon sort of person and don't really shop there but love the great story of David vs Goliath). Whatever. At least be honest with everybody on Townsquare. There is NOTHING short of a return to the old Sears and Burger King that you’d accept. And then you’d complain that it’s Sears and who wants a Sears in the backyard.

And so it continues

Still unable and unwilling to refute anything.

You win 1/2 internet.

Nice try builders and developers... Distract residents with milk pail market..
and build whatever you want while the residents are distracted.

See the colossal phase 2 here: Web Link
(http //www.chambermv.org/pdf/phaseII-factsheet.pdf)

Traffic Mess is guaranteed once this phase-2 is completed.
Say goodbye to Mountain View's livability.
Here is your opportunity to speak up and stop the monstrosity and traffic nightmare!!!

Haven't verified if this meeting is happening tomorrow:
===========
>>Merlone Geier invites the Mountain View community to a reception and presentation >>on the proposal for Phase II of the Village at San Antonio Center
>>Thursday, November 20, 2014
>>5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
>>Carmel the Village Apartments
>>545 San Antonio Road
>>4th Floor, Suite 402
>>(We suggest parking in the large lot between the new park and Ross/BevMo)
======================

I wouldn't believe a word from the developer Merlone Geier since they previously had a parking agreement for less than a day. What a publicity stunt! And like Milk Pail owner Steve Rasmussen said, an "agreement" means both sides have agreed to something. How can there be an agreement when the Milk Pail has not seen, heard or agreed to a new parking agreement??? This developer should not be trusted until things are in writing without escape clauses.

I want Milk Pail. I do not want a movie theater or hotel.

I think it is very sad that some people would write things about Steve's 'greed' when it is obvious that they have never met the man. Not only that, but the other outright lies saying that he knowingly gambled his business is ridiculous. When Steve expanded, he did so following the rules as stated in the 1989 San Antonio Precise plan which REQUIRES shared parking. The council at that time thought it did not make sense for every individual business to have to provide all the parking they needed, and build a bunch or parking garages, when they could share the space. That same model will have to be used in the San Antonio Center no matter what is built there because the new buildings will increase the density and bring even more cars. That is kind of the point of trying to make it a REGIONAL RETAIL center.

Steve had absolutely no way to look into a crystal ball and know that in the future, offices would be built next door to his small store, and that the new owner would be recalcitrant in permitting him to remain. I have spoken to Steve several times and I can tell you that he is one of the nicest, kindest people I have met. It's too bad that so many people take advantage of the anonymity provided here to spew hatred and untruths.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

I'm a resident at Crossings.

I got information from various sources (insiders as well as some neighbor land owners) regarding Milk Pail. What "Shocked, but not really" said has mostly aligned with what I learned. The developer has offered to buy the Rasmussen's property for multiple times. They also offered to buy him a nearby piece of land (larger) and relocate his business. Rasmussen would not accept.

As resident of the great San Antonio community, we have many concerns regarding the 2nd phase plan (traffic, noise, pedestrian friendliness...). But for the Milk Pail issue, the real issue under the skin is greediness.

Whether Mr. Rasmussen's motive is "greed", or stubbornness, or simply a desire to continue to serve the many loyal customers of the Milk Pail is totally irrelevant. No local business owner should have the rules of the game changed on them, or be forced out to accommodate a large developer. The city should be stepping up to protect the rights of people like Mr. Rasmussen instead of letting MG run roughshod over a long time local business owner. Hopefully MG is sincere in making an offer of shared parking and this can be put to rest once and for all. I'm not holding my breath though.