pages: PlanningBoard/2005-10-10.pdf, 2
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PlanningBoard | 2005-10-10 | 2 | Board. AYES - 7; NOES - 0; ABSTAIN - 0 8. CONSENT CALENDAR: 8-A. Annual Report on General Plan (ATh). A report regarding implementation of policies and objectives of the 1991 General Plan pursuant to the California Government Code. M/S Kohlstrand/ Cook and unanimous to remove Item 8-A from the Consent Calendar and to place it on the Regular Agenda. AYES - 7; NOES - 0; ABSTAIN - 0 Mr. Thomas summarized the staff report. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Ani Dimusheva, 2911 Calhoun Street, spoke in favor of a Civic Center Specific Plan, called for by the General Plan but has not been developed in the past 14 years. She had objected to the Use Permits granted to the theater and parking garage, which she believed was contradictory to the General Plan. She noted that the City Council adopted the Citywide Retail Policy and Strategy, which she believed included the Cineplex and garage. She was concerned that these policies will continue to outweigh the importance of other elements in the General Plan, such as the unaddressed Civic Center Plan. She believed that the configuration of the theater and parking garage left no room for identifiable Civic Center, and cannot imagine where a half-acre urban pocket park would go. If the Cineplex project did not go through, she encouraged the Planning Board to consider developing a City Center plan. She acknowledged the importance of economic interests, but was also concerned with open areas in public spaces. The public hearing was closed for Board discussion. In response to an inquiry by Ms. McNamara regarding the current status of a Civic Center Plan, Mr. Thomas replied that there was nothing currently in the works. He noted that Ms. Dimusheva was correct in that there was a policy recommending a Civic Center Specific Plan in the 1991 General Plan. He added that had not been a priority for the City over the last 14 years, and that it was common for General Plans to have many very good ideas but that they sometimes conflicted with each other. He noted that the implementation of these plans is decided in the annual budget process. He added that the Civic Center Specific Plan had not been a budget priority, and noted that did not preclude its inclusion in the future. Ms. Kohlstrand inquired whether noted that the public plaza discussion had been part of the Park Street Revitalization discussion, and whether it could be placed-there had been any further Planning Board Minutes Page 2 October 10, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-10-10.pdf |