Santa Maria residents have another opportunity to weigh in on the proposed Downtown Specific Plan at a meeting next week designed to explore the environmental impacts of the project.
Rincon Consultants, hired by the city, is hosting a scoping meeting for the preparation of the environmental report for the Downtown Specific Plan from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Community Development Department, 110 S. Pine St., Suite 101.
The specific plan, which is still in draft form, is meant to outline future growth and redevelopment in downtown Santa Maria. The plan looks at ways to make the city a destination point by creating a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and improving design standards.
To further streamline future development within the Downtown Specific Plan area, city officials decided to create an environmental impact report for the plan, said city planner Ben Kimball.
The scoping meeting is aimed at laying a foundation for the EIR, he said, and gives the public one more opportunity to comment on environmental issues.
A draft of the Downtown Specific Plan can be seen online at the city's Web site at www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/3063.html.
December 5, 2006