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443 <br /> understanding between the Council and Planning Commission, in terms of <br /> the really important issues. <br /> Discussion continued regarding the El Camino Real proposal , that the <br /> project should be considered as a whole, rather than attempt to make <br /> improvements piecemeal ; that the reaction by the property owners and <br /> merchants to the proposal reflected fear of change which might have <br /> been alleviated with better public relations; and that either positive <br /> steps must be taken toward improvements or it will simply deteriorate. <br /> Further discussion related to attempts by the Planning Commission to <br /> (:: encourage participation by the merchants along El Camino Real , but <br /> that they apparently never understood that the proposal was conceptual <br /> only, nor that while they held their property, nothing would happen <br /> to it; that El Camino Real might be viewed as an entire City problem <br /> for all residents to be concerned about. <br /> Mr. Fales compared proposals for improvements in developed areas with <br /> the development in Redwood Shores, where EIR's, assessments, specific <br /> planning, and architectural standards have never been the object of <br /> controversy that could not be successfully resolved, because the <br /> standards of excellence were established before any development began <br /> in Redwood Shores, and suggested that a standard of excellence is <br /> necessary for El Camino Real and for Downtown, as well . <br /> Discussion continued regarding earlier Planning Commissions which were <br /> so involved with incidental items that there was no time for the more <br /> important long range planning; that the Council and Commission should <br /> work together to establish a list of priorities and proceed with them; <br /> that it may be time to reactivate the Council 's authority as a Re- <br /> development Agency if need be, but that the individuals should be <br /> allowed the opportunity to participate before that authority is exercised. <br /> Suggestions were made regarding ways that might be employed to educate <br /> and involve those affected in the El Camino Real plans, if it is to be <br /> redone, to determine what they believe should be done and what it should <br /> look like. Mr. Fales suggested that it is not unusual for a Planning <br /> Commission in discharging its responsibility for a major project to do <br /> a draft, using all the means at its disposal in the City, i.e. , utiliza- <br /> bo.• tion of staff, consultation with property owners, and then at the point <br /> where some ideas have been put together, based on the gathering of in- <br /> formation, to meet with the City Council in a study session with the <br /> community invited, where a simple exchange of ideas can take place at <br /> that point; that while that is process rather than product, it allows <br /> for feed-back while the project is still in process; that it would be <br /> more constructive to have these intermediate check points, and would <br /> also provide an automatic means for the Council and Commission to get <br /> together more often. Mayor Biagi agreed that there should be more <br /> frequent discussions, if successful long range planning is to be done. <br /> Role of the Planning Commission in long and short range planning <br /> Chairman Claire inquired as to what his fellow Commissioners, the City <br /> Council and staff believed the Commission should be doing long range; <br /> that since everyone agrees that is what the Commission is about, there <br /> are many things they must begin working on now so that they know how <br /> the procedure works; that if that is their charge he will begin working <br /> in that direction, but that at present he felt somewhat pulled in <br /> different directions as to what their charge really is. Once that is <br /> clarified, they can start setting up goals and proper planning pro- <br /> cedures. Discussion followed regarding earlier Commissions' desire to <br /> have a part in decisions now in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Admini- <br /> strator; and general concurrence by the Commission they they should be <br /> 6.0 involved in planning for the future of the City, and that medium and <br /> long range planning is what they should be involved in. <br /> Mayor Biagi suggested that the Council and Commission make the effort <br /> to meet about every sixty days, and that the meeting might be held on <br /> Jnt.Mtg. <br /> Council/Ping. <br /> 1/13/81 <br /> Page 2 <br />