Planning board approves site plan and development agreement for 43,000 sq ft catering/food-packaging facility at 2466 Alibaba Avenue

The Planning & Zoning Board approved a site plan and companion development agreement for a 43,040-square-foot phased catering and food-packaging facility at 2466 Alibaba Avenue. The applicant, represented by EOP Group and architect Paramount Consultants, proposed constructing the project in two phases (first-phase 25,000 sq ft kitchen, second-phase completion later) and requested unity of title for 12 adjacent parcels in the I-1 light-industrial district.

Architect Guillermo Monte said civil and drainage engineering, grease-trap design and loading operations were included in the submittal and that the first phase would include office space and the full commercial kitchen. The applicant agreed to build required infrastructure for the second phase to avoid returning to the board for minor infrastructure items. Staff recommended approval, noting the project aligns with the Innovation District and redevelopment goals for Alibaba Avenue.

The board approved both the site plan and the development agreement. As part of the development agreement the applicant committed to job-fair coordination and outreach with city staff, and the board asked for architectural treatments to reflect local character (responding to prior discussion of Moorish elements). The motion passed on a roll call with unanimous recorded approval.

Why it matters

The project replaces longstanding outdoor storage/automotive uses with an enclosed industrial facility that the city and staff say will support job creation and fit into broader redevelopment plans for the industrial corridor.

Provenance (transcript)

Topic intro: applicant presentation at 03:04:15; topic finish: development-agreement vote 04:20:05.