Speak out: The City is Listening!

There are a number of public meetings set for the City to take input on new proposals for building a downtown Walnut Creek library, all leading up to a Feb. 27 community forum 7 p.m. at Las Lomas High School. ... We're on board with the alternative of a smaller underground parking lot after arguing from early on that putting a multi-story garage in Civic Park would be a disaster that would shadow the park and its environs for a whole generation. Things are looking up, though, and it's time for action. ...

Good News on Library Compromise Proposal

It's hard to argue that Walnut Creek doesn't need a new library. If the misguided plans for a large bond measure and multi-story garage are off the table, we don't have to. ... Walnut Creek needs a new library - and the City has come up with sound alternatives and the means to pay for them. ... To qualify for possible state bond funds and to generate "legacy" donations from private citizens, the new library has to be a good deal larger than the one we have now. But the City is looking to shave several million dollars off the cost by cutting down on the parking (much of which would have served surrounding businesses at a cost to all Walnut Creek property owners). ... These proposals are hardly set in stone, but they are similar to the path some of us have argued for from early on (see my Aug. 21 post, "In a Perfect World"). A tentative alternative that would put about 170 parking spaces in a single-story below-ground lot and a small surface parking area is perfect. The library could stretch out to the corner of Lincoln and Broadway, greatly enhancing the area and a new civic plaza near the senior center would magically turn into an ice rink in the winter. Should state bond money not come through (and that could easily happen, judging on the way things are going with bond funds up in Sacramento these days), the library could be financed through a modest increase in parking fees. These proposals are exactly the compromises many folks were looking for early last year and here at SaveCivicPark.com we're ready to encourage city leaders wholeheartedly that this is the right way to go. ... Please join us. ...

My Thoughts on the General Plan

I sent the following comments to the planning commissioners on the General Plan Committee (their e-mail addresses can be found on the redesigned City Web site):
"Thank you for all your hard work on the new General Plan. As an interested resident (Carmel Drive renter with a young family) who hopes to live in Walnut Creek for the duration of the new plan, I hope you will take a few of my thoughts into consideration. I am generally supportive of the draft general plan and favor high-density downtown development. I believe, though, that mixed-use near the BART station should be heavily weighted towards housing, since the BART is primarily a commuter vehicle not used heavily for day trips or retail visits (I am a daily BART commuter with a single family car). ... Housing near BART and in the downtown and along key bus corridors should have reduced parking (less than 1-for1) and incorporate car-sharing programs. I believe such language should be written into the plan. I also believe section 4 of the plan should clearly state that housing developments should have mixed unit types (studios through three-bedrooms, for example) to encourage a diverse resident base. ... In section 4, goals 10.1.2, 12 and 23 could incorporate brief additional language favoring lower parking rations in transit hubs and use of car-share programs with designated parking spaces in new developments. Language in goal 11 regarding affordable housing could be strengthened. ... Goal 10.1 should be changed to cut out "local-serving retail" which should not be near the Walnut Creek BART station and its primary use as a housing, business and commuter-serving district. ... I strongly support goal 6.2.1, as well as goals 16, 18, 20 (particularly 20.1.3),24, 25, and 28. The language in 25.1.1 could be strengthened to add even further support for green building standards, perhaps by stating commission preference for developers using LEED standards or the like. ... Thank you for your attention and service to the City. Good luck with Thursday night's meeting - I know we can be demanding. ..."

Upcoming Planning Meetings

Walnut Creek Homeowners Engaged in Local Planning (hey! we renters care about our town,too!) is urging residents to show up for two important meetings: Monday, January 9, Lar Rieu property advocates are meeting with the Park and Rec Commission on the fate of that open space; Thursday, January 12, the Planning Commission meets for the final review of the General Plan before it goes to the City Council for its consideration. Both meetings are at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. ... UPDATE: Am told the Lar Rieu meeting will occure not Monday, but in February. ...