When the Valley Gardens Golf Course was sold and halted business a few years back, there was a collective lament that we had lost a true community asset. The beautiful green gem has been missed, as it was a quiet respite for local golfers and many successful community fundraisers were held there. To stand and regard it now is sad as it wallows in disrepair and its past glory is rapidly fading in our memories.
The 30 acres is now under consideration for housing and some minor retail. The preliminary plans being brought forward are interesting and thoughtful, I think. They consist of about 170 units including single family dwellings, townhomes and apartments.
This proposal will be coming to the public later this year. Across the street from this project lies about 15 acres of land where our proposed town center is planned. In contrast to the beauty of a golf course, this parcel of land is a virtual scar on the landscape.
The asphalt landing strip is a remnant of an abandoned airport that is historical, but very much less pleasing to the eye. In its place is the proverbial town center project. You can be excused if you look askance at the term “town center.
” In my time on the council, there have been at least 10 proposals that have come and gone, usually because of the fact that the project (wait for it) “didn’t pencil out.” This time may be a little different, however. Scotts Valley and the city of Santa Cruz have come to terms on the sale of their parcel and that represents a very large step forward in making this project more feasible and real.
The city has invested a lot of time and effort over the past two years to move this project forward. Now the city is asking for the public’s participation to comment and review what has emerged from this process. Coming up this week Aug.
17-18 is a fantastic event: SV Chamber’s Art, Wine and Beer Festival. It includes “Cops ‘N Rodders” and even a dog day on Sunday. Lots of crafts and great food.
Join us as the city will have a booth presenting the latest three potential layouts for the new town center. The layouts, designed by architects from Urban Field Studio, include streets, commercial areas, residential areas and community gathering places. The three options aim to connect the new development seamlessly to the neighboring amenities such as Target, the Hanger, Nob Hill, the library, Skypark and more.
After the community weighs in, the architectural team will create a preferred layout with high level requirements to include in the Town Center Specific Plan update. Then, private developers will be invited to submit proposals to partner with the city to develop the Town Center based on the preferred layout. To stay informed on the future of the Town Center, visit www.
ScottsValley.gov/TownCenter . Back to the two parcels.
Though different in many ways, including the amount of retail, they do have a common trait: lots of housing. Many in the city wish it weren’t so, but the number of units is a stark reminder of the housing element mandates imposed by the state of California, that every city in the state is grappling with. Just in our city, the requirement of 1,220 new housing units over the next eight years is an admonition that the state has snatched local control and foisted its set of rules that will inflict many challenges upon our city.
Our intention, however, is to make every project that emerges before the council, as good and creative as possible. With our public’s help, that goal is achievable and real. Randy L.
Johnson is the mayor of Scotts Valley..
