The Garden Room in the Orinda Library was buzzing with conversation as more than 50 community members attended a ConnectOrinda Celebration May 28.
According to Senior Planner Adam Foster, “Feedback on the boards presented was generally positive and the board graphics drew a lot of public interest.” Planning Department personnel were kept busy answering questions. The goal of the celebration was to obtain final community comments.
People got a chance to review printed design guidelines provided by the Planning Department and the project consultant on view for the project. A single set of near and longer-term projects with broad community support culled from earlier input was presented in large print with color graphics. These printed guidelines were divided into Village District and Theatre District locations. They are on display in the corridor of Orinda Community Center until July 4.
The main objectives of the project include:
• Connect the two sides of downtown for all users;
• Support future pedestrian access along San Pablo Creek;
• Preserve Orinda’s unique sense of place;
• Produce grant-eligible projects that can be funded;
• Beautify downtown Orinda;
• Build consensus for the final plan through robust community engagement.
The project, also known as the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, launched Oct. 13. On Jan. 29, the city held another workshop where extensive community input was received. In March that information was reviewed and refined into selected projects. On June 4 a project update meeting provided a formal opportunity for public comment as well as a forum for the City Council to provide feedback to staff and project consultant.
The Planning Dept. received City Council direction for the proposed projects and draft downtown streetscape design guidelines. Planning Dept. staff and consultant team are working on a final draft of the Connect Orinda Downtown Streetscape which will be presented for City Council consideration in September.
For more information about ConnectOrinda, contact Senior Planner Adam Foster, afoster@cityoforinda.org, call 925-253-4238 or visit www.cityoforinda.org\connectorinda.
