Visions for Northeast Quadrant: Geoffrey
From RG-Bibliowiki
Contents |
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Flood/Fill Issues
- No net fill
- Fill rather than mound for western part of area; perhaps pedestal development along Sebastopol Rd. with parking underneath unless grade of Sebastopol Rd kept at 76+ ft from bridge
- Filled area would include Morris and Depot streets, with slope down to Laguna Park Way and Morris; fill for Sebastopol Rd & south dependent on bridge connection
- Mitigate for fill by restoring wetlands on City property east of Laguna and/or restoring "lakes" in Laguna north of city (material removed in restoration project could be used for fill in NEA?)
- Daylight Zimpher Creek and make it part of Laguna connection; this would also help mitigate for fill
- Parking under civic building and others on east end (facing Morris) as flood area
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General Design
- Reduce heat island effect through use of appropriate building/street materials and construction techniques
- Minimize runoff through maximizing pavement porosity, on-site recharge for storm water
- Greywater use wherever possible
- Walkable/bikeable area, de-emphasize car use as much as possible
- Public art that gives people a connection to place – loveable objects –no alienating art (Sebastopol has generally done well in this regard)
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Building Design
- Prevailing winds are from the west; care should be taken along Morris to keep building heights moderate so wind tunnel can be avoided
- Building design for commercial, mixed use and residential structures need to maximize solar design principles, from PV and water/space heating to winter sun/summer shading; everyone has a right to sunshine, including pedestrians.
- Organic feel – no Disneyland fakery – needs to be able to age well!
- Variety of building types that are harmonious
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Civic Buildings/uses
- Incorporate pleasant transit area on periphery
- Civic buildings important – real city hall/library/performing arts venue/community center, as well as civic green space with places for events/permanent farmers\’ market similar to Center for Environmental Structure\’s design for the Fresno Farmers\’ Market
- Move Community Center from current site to NE area or elevate at current site
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Commercial/Retail Uses
- Keep some light industrial operations; strong preference for useful manufacturing
- Commercial/retail strongly oriented toward small size, "mom & pop" operations; discourage chains and boutiques. Sebastopol already has enough of these and they do nothing to create a local, unique identity. City must NOT look like suburban Nowhereville, or even urban Nowhereville!
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Housing
- Housing needs to be an integral part of the mix, including:
- Co-housing
- Smaller houses; no large houses should be part of this area
- Both rental and owner-occupied units
- Reasonably high number of affordable units
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Entry/Bridge
- Distinctive/beautiful bridge, not just a high, concrete viaduct; offer views of Laguna to drivers, bikes and pedestrians; allow for seasonal pedestrian trail to pass underneath on both sides for connections between Laguna Park and Rodota Trail
- Line Sebastopol Rd. (at least near Laguna, and if possible, to Petaluma Ave.) with Valley Oaks; no palm trees!
- Morris Street should be open to Laguna; remove development east of Morris and restore area to riparian forest/wetlands (perhaps offer some subsidies to businesses on east side to relocate to developed area west of Morris?). Parking could be incorporated under buildings on west side of Morris (both civic building and commercial/residential buildings) if southern end is at current grade or under street and buildings if elevated.
- Great bike/pedestrian connections for West County Trail along Morris Street
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Make youth-friendly
- Incorporate small amount of kids play equipment in civic space; otherwise incorporate at least one tot lot or mini-park
- Armor curbs and concrete edges rather than add anti-skate bumps
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Town vs City
- Sebastopol needs to retain its identity as a small town, not a city
- Design must emphasize small-scale urban rather than large-scale urban (no Manhattan-style urban feel)
