The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutPublic Comment - Ruth MillerFrom: Date:Wednesday, August 10, 2022 10:35:50 AM Hello, Please find the below public comment on the sections of the General Plan that will be reviewed at next week's joint Council/Commission meeting. Thank you for your consideration. Ruth Community Character CC-1.2: What does it mean to "contribute to and enhance the scene quality and visual harmony"? This feels too squishy to be useful. I don't envy future commissioners trying to make sense of this phrasing. As an alternative: "Ensure that new development in natural areas takes reasonable effort to minimize the physical development footprint while maximizing opportunities for users of the future development to enjoy the natural spaces." That sunset photo on page 3-6 is amazing. CC-1.8 / CC-1.D: This conflicts with our walkability goals. This is Truckee's densest transit corridor and best bike/walking path. I understand the goal of keeping it from feeling too built up, but there's too much opportunity with this corridor to just give it two conflicting policies. A specific plan for this corridor would be appropriate. In the mean time, I propose either eliminating this policy, or replacing it with something like: "Ensure new development along this corridor integrates shade trees and other natural elements to echo the existing natural aesthetic." CC-1.12: We watched the Veterans Hall chimney get replaced with some kind of telecom equipment (across from our house), and the end result is totally identical to the original, and it was brilliant. Kudos to whoever thought of that, and yes to more. CC-1.B: Yes!! Our need for housing is more important than someone's need to look at trees when they drive through at 80+ mph. CC-1.C: I love this! CC-3.1: This is also pretty squishy. I believe "quality" here means "not cheap", like it won't fall down or break apart? If that's correct, could this be more specific? CC-3.2: I'm surprised to see that we discourage new architecture that mimics the historic buildings. I understand not wanting to look like Disney World, but it can be done. What if someone wanted to rebuild a building that burned down, based on photos? Also, it seems like we spend a lot of time saying what not to do, but don't offer many examples of what we do like. Could we include some visual references of what we want people to aim for? CC-3 suggestion #1: Similar to how we're working our way away from billboards, suggestion to do the same for gas stations, drive throughs, and other car-oriented architecture. CC-3 suggestion #2: Smaller retail spaces are more walkable and historically accurate. Encourage new development downtown to produce retail spaces under 1200 square feet (please verify this number with some local business owners). Some examples of this working really well in Las Vegas, Bogota, Boston, and naturally Oakland. CC-4.8: I love this, too! I propose going a step further, and working with the Washoe Tribe to develop a land acknowledgement statement. My dream would be to read a statement like this before every planning commission meeting, to remind ourselves that while we're the current stewards of this land, this land has both a long history and a long future, and we need to plan with respect for both. CC-4.I: This is cool! There's some cool and low cost tech that could support this, too. A long time ago in Charlotte and Philadelphia, I saw signs about self guided walking tours where you call a number and it just reads you the history of the spot. At this point QR codes could be pretty easy to pull off, but I liked the audio component. Either or both. CC-5.6: I genuinely wondered about painting a mural on my garage door at one point, but worried it would conflict with the historic district. Please clarify what kinds of "private development" are in bounds. Maybe give some more examples? CC-5 suggestion #1: Is there a way to incorporate the Washoe in the public art planning and review? Would they like to participate in that? CC-5 suggestion #2: I like the informational resources planned for historic resources. Can we do something similar for the art? A QR code for each mural to learn more? Maybe a self-guided walking tour past all the key works? CC-5 suggestion #3: I feel like the token millennial here, but the Town or Chamber should publish guidance on how to design and install art that is optimized for sharing on social media. Moab, for example, has a big "MOAB" mural like our "TRUCKEE" one at the Truckee post office, but their's is in full sun and there's a line to take photos with it. Ours is mostly shaded, which is a huge lost opportunity for selfies and free marketing. Placement, texture, color, trends: it's more complicated than it seems. CC-6 suggestion #1: Aging parents are increasingly top of mind for me, and it would be cool to see Truckee explore something like this Age Friendly Business certification from Boston. Downtown can be pretty hectic, and helping seniors navigate it independently will support our goals. CC-7.4: Public bathrooms are a big issue for families, and should be called out with the emphasis on public buildings. CC-8.7: I like this. Please extend to discouraging businesses from dedicating parking spots to specific businesses. I'm thinking of the Donner Park Center, where it feels like maybe you're supposed to move your car if you get tea after dropping off a package. Economic Development ED-1.6: Does this include allowing commercial uses from residential-zoned areas? Could I post a sign by my house and start having retail hours out of my garage? Could I prepare food from my kitchen? I hope the answer to at least some of these are yes, and want to see much more specificity on this item. ED-2 suggestion #1: This would be a great place to evaluate the airport's benefits to Truckee. Is that a sector we want to see expand? Would some other use with that land better benefit Truckee? ED-3.2: This one is very exciting, but could go in lots of different directions. Does this mean we're going to implement demand-based pricing, or turn people away? ED-3 suggestion #1: I was on Orcas Island last weekend, and stumbled upon this very cool housing finance project. Essentially, the community is raising funds to give locals low interest loans to buy local housing. We've got some well heeled and hopefully generous people in Truckee, can we put it to them to help fix this housing situation (and make a little interest)? ED-5.5: Include public bathrooms. And maybe even showers for through hikers? ED-5.6: I hope this includes the AT&T buildings downtown! Conservation and Open Space COS-1.1: Please define pristine. What if it's adjacent to a freeway or other development? Is there a minimum size? COS-1.D: COS-6 suggestion #1: Protecting our forest will involve thinning trees. I hoped to see something in here explicitly involving the Town in that, and holding the Town to do so transparently and collaboratively. Perhaps organize an advisory council of locals? We're running out of easy steps to take, and are going to have to tackle defensible space on residential property sooner or later. The mobility working group is a great model that could be replicated for fuel management. COS-8.9: Is there anything the Town could do to reduce idling? I've walked past so many trucks in parking lots making a ton of noise and smoke to run air conditioners. COS-9.5: This is great! The outdoors are for everyone! Please clarify that this means making these facilities themselves accessible, including paving key connective routes like the Legacy Trail. Perhaps that could be another policy, about accessibility?