April
2009 | by Richard
Earnest, City Councilman,
and Tony Corso, Stratford
A
new committee has
been formed to
help guide the city
through a process
to help revitalize
the downtown. What
are they doing
and why?
Very
simply, form based codes
emphasize form over
function and create
a building envelope
for each property that
an owner can rely on
when redeveloping his/her
property. It embraces
streetscape, parking,
traffic and other key
elements of making a
city core work harmoniously
with the neighborhoods
and existing infrastructure.
This model has been
successfully used in
a number of cities throughout
our country.
The
city council selected
nine citizens and professionals
to guide the process.
including residents
from nearby neighborhoods,
architects, planners,
designers and other
professionals. The committee
will hold a series of
town meetings to get
public input and will
ultimately come to the
city council with recommendations
on how to create a better,
more attractive and
successful downtown
for everyone. The process
will be thoughtful but
will not take forever.
It will have access
to city staff and other
professionals during
its deliberations. All
discussions and meetings
will be open and public
input will be encouraged.
For
those skeptics who believe
that this is just another
plan to put on the shelf,
you will be surprised.
The results of this
work will provide a
much more efficient
and effective way to
invest in Del Mar’s
future and provide guidance
for those who desire
to improve their properties
with no surprises.
This
work should take place
over the next six to
nine months and result
in a blueprint for reshaping
the commercial district
into a more pedestrian
friendly, interesting
and successful downtown
for all concerned.
Your
involvement is a critical
component for success.
As this series of public
meetings occurs in the
coming months, please
set aside some time
to come down to the
annex and “weigh
in.” The
results will be only
as good as the public’s
willingness to get involved.
Let’s
not let our community
living room deteriorate
any more! Stay tuned!
The
Form Based Code Committee
members:
1. Phil
Blair,
resident; business
man, past board member
of the Centre City
Development Corporation
Board (San Diego).
2. Albert
Corti,
resident; experience
in mixed use development
and redevelopment
projects with retail
as the primary use.
3. Dennis
Cruzan,
resident; experience
in the design of commercial
construction, development,
leasing, management
and investment.
4. Wayne
Dernetz,
resident; experience
in planning and zoning
law, redevelopment,
urban finance, and
past Del Mar Finance
Committee member and
past Del Mar City
Manager.
5. Rick
Ehrenfeld,
resident who lives
adjacent to the Central
Commercial Zone; experience
in Del Mar’s
Planning and zoning;
current planning commissioner.
6. Howard
Gad,
resident; experience
in residential development;
subdivisions, custom
homes; industrial
buildings, retail
centers and community
facilities.
7. Holly
Schofield McGoldrick,
non-resident; experience
in engineering, zoning,
and land use, vehicular
access and parking.
8. Nancy
Sanquist,
resident; architecture
and planning experience.
9. Dwight
Worden,
resident; experience
in planning and law;
author of Del Mar’s
Measure B; past Del
Mar City Attorney.
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