'Things to Like and a Lot of Problems'

Two  more city commissions/committees weighed in on what they like – and don’t like – about the proposed plan to spruce up downtown.

The Planning Commission included a workshop about the on Tuesday, and the Design Review Committee took a look-see Thursday.

Here is a summary of various commission/committee member comments:

Robert Williams (wearing his hat as a member of the Design Review Committee): The language calling for “generous sidewalks and steady rows of trees” seems “boilerplate” and not specifically taking into account the room that is available nor the look he would want.

Design Review Committee member Dan Friess: On the other hand, he likes the idea of generous sidewalks and steady rows of trees because it’s a goal.

Jeff Parkhurst (wearing his hat as a member of the Design Review Committee): He doesn’t like the idea of three-story buildings anywhere in a village setting. “I don’t know what village they’re talking about at three stories unless you’re talking about some European village where everything’s vertical.”

Planning Commisioner Tim Neely: The plan is too ambitious. Because much of the property is in private hands, he fears the entire project will never be completed and end up looking too hodge-podge. “If this plan is only going to get half built, you have to imagine what that’s going to look like.” He also believes the plan calls for more boutique shops than the city can sustain.

Parkhurst, speaking as planning commissioner: He doesn’t like the location for the proposed parking structure, where the Camino Real Playhouse now sits, because it will be the first thing visitors see when they exit the freeway. Also, three-story buildings on the west side of Del Obispo Street would be too dense.

Planning Commissioner Ginny Kerr: She likes that the plan is more pedestrian friendly than downtown currently is. She believes it is still missing a compelling element that will keep people in town.

Williams, speaking as a planning commissioner: The consultant has done a good job listening to input from the community. He prefers not to extend El Camino Real through to Del Obispo. He likes the location of the parking structure but doesn’t want it any higher than two levels.

Planning Commission Chairman Sheldon Cohen: He likes having new retail shops on El Camino Real. He would like to see moving the parking structure to behind Pedro’s, as was suggested many years ago. The master plan has made “great progress. There’s a lot I like. There’s a lot of problems.”