Members of the Santa Maria City Council cheered as city staffers presented the final stages of the Santa Maria Downtown Specific Plan at the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, when council members unanimously approved a project blueprint and other final project guidelines. The plan awaits final approval on Nov. 4.
According to the project plan and blueprint, the city’s downtown area would be divided into five districts: Bungalow, Garden, Gateway, Railroad Loft, and Town Center. Each district would have its own distinct architectural style and use.
The Gateway district would serve as the entrance to the downtown area. The Town Center district would serve as the city’s entertainment center, and the Garden district would house cultural and civic services. The Bungalow district would cater to businesses and restaurants, and the Railroad Loft district would act as a residential area.
The districts would encompass approximately 50 square blocks centered on the intersection of Main Street and Broadway, and bordered by Fesler Street to the north, Miller Street to the east, Morrison Street to the south, and Pine Street to the west.
The Downtown Specific Plan has been in the works for the past several years, and aims to “improve, revitalize, and encourage reinvestment in the central core of the city,” according to city staff reports.
“There have been many businesses who have talked to the department, expressing an interest in investing in the downtown plan,” Community Development Director Kirk Lindsay told the Sun.
Also at the meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a clause determining that city staffers will review all projects sized at 5,000 square feet or smaller. Larger projects will be subject to a review from a planning panel and the council.
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2008.