This was written to further the dialog from this letter to the editor.
Perhaps this house is a catalyst for change. If so, how do we best move forward? More importantly, how do we move through it, per Mark’s point, without a stereotypical response?
During the Vandaveer* discussions, many citizens came to the table and voiced their concerns and ideals through city-sponsored gatherings. Though contentious by nature, the planning process was generally considered positive, and the resulting RFP was widely considered a solid reflection of the larger communities vision, as well as the city’s needs. I say this because I attended these gatherings, but also because, shortly thereafter, the discussion moved to debate about which developer could best achieve the resulting “philosophical goals.” South Main in BV, via their formal charettes, had similarly positive results by engaging the community in less traditional ways.
At the risk of opening up a dialog about anomalys commercial developments, I propose that “we want to be better,” and we don’t want to replicate the fighting in other communities. Moreover, we have proven to have the ability to shape the type of development that reflects why we live here, less we forget the antithesis of growth.
In rare instances, there are building guidelines in, often private, communities that are not presented to a developer by a code packet alone. Though, building codes must be spelled out legally and voted on using the democratic process, developers might be presented with illustrated home ideas, photos, essays and aesthetic suggestions via a nice (and if I ran the circus, entertaining) booklet and companion web site. This helps contractors and developers envision a project that will achieve their goals —while not angering the larger community.
This booklet and web site would be an addendum to the code, (which has by and large served us well, fire away), but avoids a heavy-handed approach and undo labor by the City Council and staff.
You might think that physical samples are all around. You’d think. But, you might also think that our current codes, though written by a smart volunteer board of citizens (you, us, we) would ensure that a house which does not reflect our community vision would not be built. See cold water, apparently repeatedly, thrown in our face.
Explaining in simple visual and written words “Victorian,” “Southwest” and “Craftsman” as conceptual ideas, and how they relate to the “Salida experience,” is simple, and crosses boundaries. Put another way, if you are old or young, new to the area, or an old timer; a light-hearted, and highly-visual book with commentary by, and for Salidians, is a lot more likely to be read than a code packet, while killing time at the Dentist.
Development of any kind must be judged a success based on many criteria, just as a communities ability to solve its problems should be judged by its creativity in solving its problems for the collective good. A knee-jerk response to simply argue, then write progressively stricter code is too easy.
This is just one suggestion, and I’m a visual thinker. But, then again, when it comes to our town, perhaps we all are?
* Vandaveer is the tract of land at the city’s eastern edge, owned by the city, whose development was put on hold by the chosen developer, but effectively, by the economy.
Bill, you’re a sane voice. Perhaps this thread can avoid the character assassination that the other one delved into. This is an issue that really cuts deep in the Western psyche, I’m afraid. Its about the underlying Libertarian (and I use that term in its abstract sense) sensibilities a lot (most?) of us have out here. I think its one of the things that draws, and keeps us, here. Simply put—we aren’t into a whole hell of a lot of being told what to do. UNTIL….my view is co-opted, or the neighbor’s rooster wakes me, or….you get the picture. We run into a philosophical wall at that point. And sadly, that point is money-connected too often. A developer’s sale value versus my re-sale value. Me against you. While I don’t want to be told what to do, damn, I want to tell you what to do. Its a tough one. Trey, you could even say its a Koan ;-)
Well, keep chipping at that edifice. I don’t think Earth-shaking solutions will spill out, but dialog will at least keep mob-rule at bay. Sadly though, I still have to believe the words from the movie:
If you build it, they will come.
-Peace
What is the current status of the Vandeveer Project . I understand the developer defaulted on the project or the loan or something of that nature and the city had to pay off the Vandaveers . So does this mean
that the project will be restarted in the future or be scrapped . Did the city have the finances to cover the pay off without putting itself in a financial bind ? Just curious and thanks for any info . Good day .
P. S . It sure is handy to be able to ask a question and have someone actually care enough to answer .
My understanding is that they did pay of loan on the property. The last I heard a number of smaller private developers have been courting the city trying to buy up or trade for small pieces of the property. Some of the land has been put aside for the Natural Resource Center.
More info: http://cityofsalida.com/projects/natural-resource-center/
Essentially the city formed a private corporation to avoid sunshine laws and develop city land without public input. There were many promises regarding the degree to which they would keep everyone informed, but no information has been provided.
There have been some fits and starts regarding revisiting the Vandeveer plan, but as far as I have seen nothing has really been done to make a new plan. The County has plans to zone everything surrounding vandeveer to the North into a Highway commercial zone.
I would like to say the City has been busy with more important matters, but I can’t.
I would caution Mr. Smith regarding his statement that the City of Salida’s City Council created the 63-20 to “avoid sunshine laws and to develop land without public input”. That is his perception.
Not once in any discussion regarding the 63-20 did I hear a member of the Council express those sentiments as their motivation.
Chuck Rose, Mayor