Considering that CVS/Chase is NOT the best use of the crossroads site, what is?
Sebastopol is a unique town! It has a town center. It has major road access. It has bus routes all ways. It has all the necessary amenities within walking distance. Grocery stores, pool, library.laundromats, restaurants, venues for entertainment. It has local farms. It has trails, parks, and the open space of the laguna. WOW! All the makings for a sustainable PEDESTRIAN town. What doesn’t it have?
Adequate parking “downtown”. Simple, truly low cost housing. Places. Trees. Benches to encourage people to rest and enjoy without having to purchase anything.
So, how can the center of town be strengthened? How can the most important vacant property be used to best create a town that is healthy? (Getting in a car and driving is not, ultimately, healthy.)
What if the prime corner in town be used for:
ADDITIONAL PARKING- to encourage a pedestrian habitated town. Consider that a lot of the “traffic” in town is simply locals driving around (& around), slowly, looking for a parking place!
HOUSING - Truly innovative. Create residences for potential pedestrians.
PLACES - for people to meet, slow down, and enjoy each other and the town.
I’m concerned/curious that Chase/CVS seems intent on destroying our town - either financially (suing us?, really?) or functionally/aesthetically. Have they asked us what we would like, how they can contribute to the town? Ooooh, what a concept! Sort of like making ammends... The Corporations currently wishing to develop/expand/destroy the awesome potential of Sebastopol could gain favor nation/world wide by supporting and funding the town becoming an example of a truly healthy town of the future.
And if they think that it is a benefit to expedite people picking up their medicines, I imagine that could be facilitated at their current site, perhaps with an employee/runner at the curb....