The purpose of the moratorium, which could last an additional 10months, if needed, is to give staff time to study a proposed changein the land use of the property from professional office buildingsto retail space that would include a restaurant row. Such a changewould require an amendment to the city's Specific Plan for thedesignated area and voter approval as a result of the passage ofMeasure D on Nov. 3, 1987.

"We would have to go through the entire specific plan amendmentprocess. That could take six months to a year," says Felice Acosta,interim community development director. "There are a lot of stepsinvolved."

The 15 parcels under consideration have multiple owners. Inorder to proceed with the process, the Redevelopment Agencyauthorized staff on Sept. 26, 2000 to forward invitations to theproperty owners to participate in the potential redevelopment oftheir properties within the redevelopment project area. Whether theowners indicate their interest and capability in participating willdetermine if the city will negotiate a fair price based on anappraisal of the property. If the parties cannot come to terms on apurchase, the city may institute eminent domain proceedings toacquire the property.