With EIR Approved, Los Altos to Invite Public Input For Next Step of Downtown Development

More retail or more office space?

The city of Los Altos wants to get the public's input on what kind of proposals it should solicit for development of its downtown parking plazas.

The City Council cleared the way July 26 by unanimously certifying an environmental impact report (EIR)that was based on a hypothetical development of up to 200,00 square feet of office space in the south parking plazas. It also voted to rezone to allow for a greater range of uses that would permit offices on the ground level and heights of up to 42 feet.

Planners also assumed approximately 800 employees for the sake of having the most intensive conditions possible for the purposes of EIR but said it did not mean proposals should call for 200,000 square feet of office space, generating 800 employees.

Office space generates a greater impact on traffic while retail generates a greater demand for parking; planners chose an office space scenario for the EIR.

The question of what kind of development should be solicited is next  to be developed. And residents interested in downtown's future were intent on expressing the need for transparency.

"We desperately as business people need an open process," said Kent Nelson, a downtown business owner.

Both Mayor Ron Packard and Council member Megan Satterlee asked staff to schedule a study session before coming back with a draft of a request for proposal or request for qualifications.

"I'm encouraged by the fact that this is the first thing to come before us vs. the RFP because there is plenty of opportunity to have more input," Satterlee said. "I am very interested in the discussion to formulate the RFP, to have the conversation what are the goals—a robust discussion."

Patch will report when such a study session is called.