|
|
|
|
Submit
|

Google Custom
Search
CivicLifeSportsSchoolsBusinessFoodOur HomesLetters/OpinionsCalendar

Published November 23rd, 2011
Planning Commission Bumps Back Downtown Plan Schedule
By Cathy Tyson

The Downtown Specific Plan is once again going to take a bit longer than anticipated. At a recent meeting - the Planning Commission approved a revised schedule for the home stretch of the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The Planning Commission will continue to review the DSP and EIR concurrently through January 30; on February 6 the Planning Commission will adopt recommendations to give to the City Council. Forget the chocolates and a romantic dinner, residents will surely want to enjoy the evening of February 14 - Valentine's Day - when the Planning Commission recommendations will be presented to the City Council. The City Council will use that information to start considering the DSP and the EIR for adoption in March, 2012.
It seems like only yesterday the Lamorinda Weekly reported that Planning Commission recommendations to the City Council were slated for late January; this new revised schedule pushes everything back by a few weeks. Responding to a question, Planning Commissioner Will Lovitt said, "No one is more tired of this than I am." The rest of the Commissioners agreed there is no rush, and they would like to take the time to fully complete the process.
A letter was presented by the Lafayette Homeowners Council at the meeting that disagreed with the logistics of reviewing the Downtown Plan and the Environmental report concurrently, "We urge the City Council in the strongest possible terms to complete the final Environmental Impact Report before deciding on the merits of the DSP Project." The Planning Commission saw it differently, and will review both the EIR and the DSP at the same time, consistent with State guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act review.
Marie Blitz, President of the Lafayette Homeowners Council, stated she was "nervous and concerned" because the current EIR is based on the 2009 staff version of DSP. "It's still an incredibly optimistic schedule," she said. George Burtt also disagreed with the Commission, noting he has "significant objections," and in his view, not certifying the EIR first was putting the "cart before the horse."
Planning Commissioner Chair Patricia Curtin-Tinley explained that certifying the EIR, "really just means it's done correctly and in accordance with the law." She argued that, "certification alone is meaningless.... unless it refers to a plan."

Advertisement

print story

Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!)
Comments

Send your comment to:
Reach the reporter at:

Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home
Archive
Advertise
send artwork to:
ads@lamorindaweekly.com
Classified ads
Lamorinda Service Directory
About us and How to Contact us
Submit
Letter to the Editor
Send stories or ideas to:
storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Send sports stories and photos to:
sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy
Subscribe to receive storylinks by email
Content
Civic
Lafayette
Moraga
Orinda
MOFD
Life
Sports
Schools
Business
Food
Our Homes
Letters/Opinions
Calendar


Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA

Planning Commission Bumps Back Downtown Plan Schedule | Lafayette
|
|
|
|
Submit
|

Google Custom
Search
CivicLifeSportsSchoolsBusinessFoodOur HomesLetters/OpinionsCalendar

Published November 23rd, 2011
Planning Commission Bumps Back Downtown Plan Schedule
By Cathy Tyson

The Downtown Specific Plan is once again going to take a bit longer than anticipated. At a recent meeting - the Planning Commission approved a revised schedule for the home stretch of the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The Planning Commission will continue to review the DSP and EIR concurrently through January 30; on February 6 the Planning Commission will adopt recommendations to give to the City Council. Forget the chocolates and a romantic dinner, residents will surely want to enjoy the evening of February 14 - Valentine's Day - when the Planning Commission recommendations will be presented to the City Council. The City Council will use that information to start considering the DSP and the EIR for adoption in March, 2012.
It seems like only yesterday the Lamorinda Weekly reported that Planning Commission recommendations to the City Council were slated for late January; this new revised schedule pushes everything back by a few weeks. Responding to a question, Planning Commissioner Will Lovitt said, "No one is more tired of this than I am." The rest of the Commissioners agreed there is no rush, and they would like to take the time to fully complete the process.
A letter was presented by the Lafayette Homeowners Council at the meeting that disagreed with the logistics of reviewing the Downtown Plan and the Environmental report concurrently, "We urge the City Council in the strongest possible terms to complete the final Environmental Impact Report before deciding on the merits of the DSP Project." The Planning Commission saw it differently, and will review both the EIR and the DSP at the same time, consistent with State guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act review.
Marie Blitz, President of the Lafayette Homeowners Council, stated she was "nervous and concerned" because the current EIR is based on the 2009 staff version of DSP. "It's still an incredibly optimistic schedule," she said. George Burtt also disagreed with the Commission, noting he has "significant objections," and in his view, not certifying the EIR first was putting the "cart before the horse."
Planning Commissioner Chair Patricia Curtin-Tinley explained that certifying the EIR, "really just means it's done correctly and in accordance with the law." She argued that, "certification alone is meaningless.... unless it refers to a plan."

Advertisement

print story

Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!)
Comments

Send your comment to:
Reach the reporter at:

Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home
Archive
Advertise
send artwork to:
ads@lamorindaweekly.com
Classified ads
Lamorinda Service Directory
About us and How to Contact us
Submit
Letter to the Editor
Send stories or ideas to:
storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Send sports stories and photos to:
sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy
Subscribe to receive storylinks by email
Content
Civic
Lafayette
Moraga
Orinda
MOFD
Life
Sports
Schools
Business
Food
Our Homes
Letters/Opinions
Calendar


Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA