Since the last update (April), CASTO continued to revise/refine their plan while working closely with representatives of a grocer to bring a new 40,000 square foot neighborhood market to the project. However, despite best efforts from all involved parties, the grocer made the difficult decision to discontinue the establishment of any additional locations of its neighborhood market model – requiring them to depart the project. Since that decision, CASTO has worked to revise the project – modifying and improving the site design to provide additional parking, increase the size of the public plaza, and maintain 28,000 square feet of flexible, ground-level retail space surrounding the plaza area.
On 16 July, CASTO provided their formal submittal to begin the final planned development review process. This process will first see a series of Joint meetings with the Planning Commission (PC) and Architectural Board of Review (ABR) working together to go through the project plan using the design principles within the City’s Planned Development code (Chapter 1156), the Development Objectives and Council Priorities for the project, and other references as a guide. In addition to the regular opportunities for public comment at these Joint PC/ABR meetings, the City will also be working with CASTO to provide additional public engagement opportunities during the upcoming months as the project progresses through the review process. Once PC and ABR provide their final approvals, the process will continue to final review by City Council. Provided Council approval, the project can then shift into final preparation for implementation/construction.
This week (23 July), the first Joint PC/ABR review meeting was held at 6pm in the City Hall Auditorium. View the video of the discussion here.