The company is asking the city to create a new commercial zone (C2) which would allow a retail building as large as 105,000 square feet, what their city application says would be “the smallest buildable footprint of grocery and dry goods retailers.”
In their filing, MJB Properties says, “The proposed amendment would enhance the quality of life of citizens of Anacortes as it would increase commercial development opportunities that are currently are not being met due to inadequate space within the existing commercial zone.“
MJB says the addition of a store of this size they propose, such as a Fred Meyer store, could increase the city's economic benefit by capturing taxable sales that are currently being lost to other areas in the.
The property MJB is talking about is about 12 acres on the east side of R Ave from 24th St. on the north to 28th St on the south and to the Tommy Thompson Trail on the east. The property is currently vacant.
MJB will hold a public meeting at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Depot Arts Center to explain the proposal and answer questions. The matter is set for Planning Commission public hearing on Nov. 13 at City Hall.