| | Published July 4th, 2012
| Final Frontier for the Downtown Specific Plan
| | By Cathy Tyson | | |
Surely no one thought it would take this long. The process to formulate a framework for future growth in downtown Lafayette started in 2006 and was sent to the Planning Commission almost three years ago to address goals, purpose, boundaries, height and so much more. They diligently worked on the project, going over every detail with a fine tooth comb, handing over the May 2012 version of the Downtown Specific Plan to the City Council in a recent joint meeting.
Two more public hearings are scheduled in July culminating in an up or down vote in September. After countless meetings and discussion, not all of the seven Planning Commissioners agreed to recommend the final product to the City Council-Commissioners Will Lovitt and Mark Mitchell disagreed. After thanking the Planning Commission for shouldering a major portion of the workload, Mayor Carol Federighi cut to the chase and asked the two commissioners about the reasoning behind their dissenting votes.
Both pointed out that they agree with the vast majority of the Downtown Plan. "I think it's a good plan, and agree with 90 percent of it," said Mitchell. His main concern was the lack of correlation between "the impacts of future growth to impacts that growth will cause...I'd like to see build-out numbers tied to level of service. I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater."
Lovitt focused on the height limit, now at a maximum of 35 feet - with the potential to reach 45 feet if exceptions are found. The proposed Downtown Specific Plan would allow that upper limit throughout the downtown area, "I think that area is too wide...I'd like to see more quantifiable standards to 45 feet."
Federighi echoed public comments. "Can we say the process of making an exception is more rigorous?" Commissioner Jeanne Ateljevich answered that any proposed project must have substantial benefit to the community.
"It's critical to get right," said Commissioner Tom Chastain, referring to height limits and clarified what he views as the real question: "Is it an exception or a right? How do you control it? We have approved tall buildings, and we have the tools to address it when it occurs."
When the public comment portion of the hearing opened up, as usual there were a number of residents who wanted to voice their opinions. All along some passionate residents have worried that the Downtown Specific Plan may alter the charming semi-rural small town character that defines Lafayette. Balancing collective and individual agendas is the task before the City Council, taking into account the inevitable need for growth drawn to the golden hills and great schools of the community. Now that a decision is finally looming, some new voices joined the fray.
Steve Cortese, prominent developer best known for the Lafayette Mercantile and revitalizing La Fiesta Square, commented on the fear of creating a canyon effect with lots of tall buildings lining Mt. Diablo Boulevard as, "not reality and not feasible." He pointing out current examples - the Chase Bank slated to go in across the street from the Mercantile will be a one-story building and his firm's own renovation of the former Design Within Reach store on Moraga Road is also a single story.
Former mayor Erling Horn called it an excellent plan that includes sustainability and plenty of safeguards to prevent the 'canyonization' of downtown. Ann Grodin, former city council member and mayor supported adoption of the plan, describing it as, "thoughtful and thorough."
"It's a well thought-out plan that embraces concepts of sustainability throughout," said Steve Richard, Co-Founder and President of Sustainable Lafayette.
The voice of the Chamber of Commerce, Jay Lifson said, "From an economic standpoint - good retail increases sales tax, although the plan isn't perfect - the Chamber supports the need for this plan."
According to Leila Douglah, local business owner and resident, the Downtown Plan is strikingly similar to existing regulations on height. "There are very few differences with the current General Plan: density stays the same at 35 units per acre, height limits stay the same 35 feet with possible exceptions to 45." She described two of the 45-foot buildings in town, the Lafayette Park Hotel, and the Mercantile Building as bringing "vibrant activity" to Lafayette. Currently, there are only a total of four buildings over 45 feet, the two she mentions along with the Lafayette Library and Learning Center and the Town Center apartments near BART.
Longtime opponent the Lafayette Homeowners Council (LHC) President Marie Blits offered an olive branch and a potential short-cut to appease members. "We come in peace. It's been a long road - we recommend regulation on gradual growth." She suggested City Council members approve 10 carefully crafted changes prepared by the LHC to the Downtown Specific Plan. Susan Callister from the Happy Valley Improvement Association agreed that most of the DSP was good, "but some of the nuts and bolts are wrong."
The second public hearing for the Downtown Specific Plan is scheduled for July 23 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, a special meeting at the Veteran's Memorial Building focusing on the EIR with the EIR Consultants is on the calendar for July 30, with a final event on September 10 back at the Library where the City Council may or may not certify the EIR, amend the General Plan and adopt the Downtown Specific Plan.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA