Planning

New Planning Documentation Could Improve Government Transparency

Written by lalahpolitico

Malika Junaid far right - asked for electronic planning documents, not 5-inch binders

The Los Altos City Council is changing documentation required for plans of  major commercial projects.  Council and the Los Altos Planning Commission need more help in visualizing what a project will look like. So does the public  We can thank Planning Commissioner Malika Junaid for asking that planning documents be delivered electronically to the Commission rather than in 5-inch binders.  That will set the stage for posting more project plans on the City web site … as the Safeway plans, but only the Safeway plan,  have been for some months.

We can thank Planning Commissioner Malika Junaid for asking that planning documents be delivered electronically to the Commission rather than in 5-inch binders…some of those should be posted for the public

Right now we can’t easily visualize the Morris Project or the Enchante Hotel.  But you can always go the desk at Los Altos Building Department and ask them to pull the paper plans for your enjoyment. That’s legal, but hardly in the spirit of government transparency and freedom of information. Los Altans want improved online access.

Based on the July 24 council meeting discussion, the direction to the Planning Commission is to look at requiring developers to submit one or more montages, also called photo simulations. Using 3-D modeling to create the montage is not a requirement, but  it can help increase accuracy of perspective views of the project.

To see what the City has in mind check out our full width images of examples of photo montages – the Enchante Hotel, Third Streeet offices.  We compare the simulations to “reality.”  You be the judge.  See here.

 

 

 

About the author

lalahpolitico

Norma Schroder is an economics & market researcher by trade and ardent independent journalist, photographer and videographer by avocation. Enthralled by the growth of the tech industry over the decades, she became fascinated with the business of local politics only in the past several years.