How was the April 1 workshop?

[Barry]

I couldn't make it to the workshop. If you went would you share with us about it and what you and/or the city got out of it?

Thanks!
Barry

[Kenyon Webster]

We had a good turnout--92 people signed in. It was an interesting day, with considerable discussion of the meeting agenda and structure and other issues that caused the meeting schedule to slip, but also a range of presentations from the consultant team, and one from a representative of the Friends of the Napa River about the Napa River Project, together with questions and comments from members of the public about the information, as well as some limited time where attendees spoke to their visions for the area. The workshop closed with an optional walking tour of the Northeast Area.

Considerably more public process remains. The next workshop will be at 10 am on May 6 at Brook Haven school. It will focus on broad design issues, and should be a stimulating day.

-Kenyon Webster, City Planning Director

[scamperwillow]

I couldn't make it to the workshop. If you went would you share with us about it and what you and/or the city got out of it?

Thanks!
Barry

The speakers were very informative - I learned alot even though I have been involved in planning issues for many years. Among other things we learned about the hydrology of the area, circulation, smart Growth, economics, general plan process, specific plan process, what businesses currently exist in the area and more. I wish more people had come - there was a lot of good information.

There was clear frustration among some of the participants that there wasn't much time for audience input, but I think the plan for the day was information for those who felt they did not have enough background. And in fact there was time for questions (and often statements) after each speaker.

Lunch was great and appreciated. The next meeting will be for community visioning. I hope people spend some time between now and then really thinking out what their vision is for the area. Maybe make some sketches and play around with it. It should make the next meeting more productive.

Marty Roberts

[Shepherd]

I am glad that I spent the entire day at the workshop. It got much better as the day went on. The opening was rough, and the walk at the end of the day was the best part, by far, in my opinion. The facilitation of the first hour and a half was not very good, in my opinion. When we got to the technical reports, that was better. The provided lunch helped change the energy.

Laura Hall and Lois Fischer in the afternoon dramatically changed the conversation and energy for the better. They asked those who came questions, which evoked people's thinking and imagining. Then they lead a tour, again with good, professional facilitation. For example, we walked out on the bridge that CalTrans plans to redo on Highway 12. I had never walked this bridge, though I have driven across it hundreds of times. What a beauty that Laguna is! It would be great to have a bridge which did not block our view. Though this is right outside the Northeast Area, it would impact it.
Shepherd