||| from Fred Klein |||
For the past 30 years, the goal for Prune Alley was to extend the visual character established on Main Street, N. Beach Rd., and a portion of “A” Street which I will describe as a streetscape consisting of curb and sidewalk, a variety of on-street parking arrangements, street trees, and major landscaping elements. Given that the public right of way was limited in some areas to as narrow as 30 feet, achieving this was a minor miracle and it all happened as a consequence of a very fruitful collaboration between SJC Public Works, local business leaders, and the Eastsound Plan Review Committee (EPRC). By and large, the result follows the Eastsound Streetscape Standards established by EPRC; some minor compromises were the result of the location of certain existing buildings. Everything that you see was accomplished without a single incident of condemnation of private land.
I confess to have been a participant in that long-ago process. And I can assure the reader that those improvements were very controversial when first proposed…there were many cries about the loss of Eastsound’s unique character and lots of handwringing.
Our much-beloved legacy buildings such as the Episcopal Church, the Outlook Inn, and the building presently occupied by Brown Bear Bakery in combination with the Eastsound Subarea Plan’s requirements for side yards, open space, limitations on the percentage of a lot coverage by a building, the Eastsound Design Standards (worthy of a separate discussion), and the Eastsound Streetscape Standards…the combined regulations have resulted in a certain character and ambiance of our village. How one views Eastsound as it currently exists is a subjective opinion of the individual, but I for one enjoy the street trees, the sidewalks which meander around the
pockets of parking, and the rich and varied landscaping, much of it planted and tended by our community of gardeners. I don’t miss the potholes and gravel.
A critical component of those Standards is that, depending upon the width of the existing public right of way, and the property owner’s desire for on-street parking, easements of varying widths are required so that there is space enough for the desired improvements. And there is, in addition, a legitimate public interest in the amount of on-street parking available.
Unfortunately regarding Prune Alley, due to a particularly egregious decision made in County Council, the Eastsound Streetscape Standards have NOT been followed and the resultant design suffers as a consequence. This decision by County Council…namely, to direct SJCDPWs that all public improvements and on-street parking shall be placed within the existing 50 foot wide public right of way…ignores the Streetscape Standard which, for on-street parallel parking, calls for the abutting property owner to grant a TWO FOOT wide easement. Similarly, if diagonal parking (yielding more spaces) were desired, a wider easement is called for.
As a consequence, the present plan for Prune Alley falls WAY SHORT of the potential demonstrated on Main Street and N. Beach Road and has, in my opinion serious flaws; the compromises relating to street lighting, while serious, are the least of my concerns. Previous comments about the street reflecting “anywhere USA” are, in my opinion, spot on. By all means, let’s ensure that improvements enhance the unique qualities of our village.
I would very much like to see this entire project stopped in its tracks…allow everyone to take a step back…and for all interested parties to take the time to learn about and appreciate the full implications of the present plans…and out of such a discussion a consensus be reached on appropriate modifications.
Fred Klein is a retired architect living in Eastsound and past member of EPRC.
Thank you for context, Fred! A much earlier comment of yours, about the necessity to see Fact and Opinion as two separate elements in a discussion, applies here too; time to hit Reset, looks like.
Thanks, Fred for a lucid discussion. I hope Rick, Jamie, and bill are listening to their constituents.
Thank you Fred. Context matters and your discuss helps us understand the long range planning process.
Great relay of pertinent information! WAY SHORT, INDEED! If the 3 councilors aren’t persuaded, a replacement is in order. Thanks, Fred.
Yes let’s pause this and let the community consider what is being proposed. Thanks, Fred.
Thank you Fred, for reminding us of the extensive and thoughtful collaboration that went into developing the Eastsound Streetscape Standards. Let us indeed pause and revisit this information, so that we may move forward whilst preserving and enhancing the unique character of our village.
Sustainability is now. We need to think about electric vehicles, ebikes, public path improvements. Safely design the edges on the way to Crescent Beach and North Beach.
Can we design a transportation system to supports Orcs, local business/farms/gardens, and the Summer People or Event People?
Captain Obvious
Peter…all your points are important as we look forward. With regard to the project at hand, I am not a fan of the present 50 foot wide undifferentiated strip of chip seal and gravel which we call Prune Alley…and…I don’t believe that anyone appreciates the changes to the character and charm of our village streetscape which will result when the proposed *improvements* are complete.
But more important than those *improvements* are the implications for future buildings on presently under-developed lots…a hint at what the future holds is the recent project of 4 white transient rentals set way back from the street behind it’s little private parking lot, a far cry from the intimate streetscape of Main St. and N. Beach Rd.
Hey…prunes! We could plant prune trees! I’d rather see a row of prunes marching down the alley than five or six dusty cars.
Thanks Fred, So we all live thru this virus ,the local economy starts to improve , and then we tear up 35% of town to drag the recovery out even longer. Timing is everything, Let’s slow down.