DRC Needs More Input Before Approving Creeks Project
By Pippa Fisher
The Lafayette design review commission asked the city creeks committee to provide more detailed information, including a more focused vision statement, before it endorses the Draft Downtown Creeks Plan, presented to the commission Aug. 22.
Will Elder, committee chairman, presented a draft that outlined plans to restore, beautify and repair the mile and a half of creeks that meander through Lafayette south of Mt. Diablo Boulevard. Running from Risa Road on the west of the boulevard to the gazebo by Golden Gate Way, the creeks border both privately and publicly owned land, preserving existing trees and riparian corridors. The committee seeks to create opportunities for public access and pathways, and to develop opportunities for creekside dining in the downtown area. The creeks committee collaborated with city planner Steve Goetz and landscape architect Gates and Associates to assemble the draft, available for inspection on the city website.
Following the presentation, the commission answered previously submitted questions. Commissioner Gordon Chong said he would like to see the policies on standards for public and private areas of the creek, with a stronger focus on public areas. He said the commission needed a better sense of how maintenance issues will be handled.
Andre Ptasznski commission vice chair, said he wanted to see a more defined vision statement for the quality of work to be done.
And commissioner Richard Voss said the commission needed more information, expressing concern for what might happen during drought years.
Elder said that he appreciated the feedback. "It's been helpful," he said.
Bob Cleaver, commission chairman, expressed hope that the committee will be able to refine its downtown creeks plan over time so that the commission would be able to support it.
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