CLEARLAKE — Design guidelines for Lakeshore Drive have been compiled with recommendations by the Vision Task Force taken into consideration. A joint meeting with the city council and planning commission is expected to take place in early August to discuss the document. An invitation to members of the Vision Task Force will also be extended, according to City Administrator Dale Neiman.
The design guidelines are compiled in a 48-page document detailing design principles including circulation and parking, open space and views, shorefront building form, landside building form, streetscape, planting, signage and color.
The purpose of the document is to provide a concise set of principles for restoring and enhancing the unique ambiance of Lakeshore Drive as it develops in the future.
“Lakeshore Drive has a tremendous amount of potential. The question is how to realize it,” Neiman said. “If people on Lakeshore Drive don”t stand behind anything, it”s not going to happen.”
Design principles developed within the guidelines focus on the portion of Lakeshore Drive between Redbud Park and Austin Park. The document identifies several goals including:
Enhancing Lakeshore Drive as a destination for multi-purpose visitor leisure/recreation/cultural activities.
Maintaining a scale and character that is casual, friendly and inviting.
Creating an environment where it is easy and pleasant to be a pedestrian.
Ensuring that the lake is part of the ever-present view, no matter where along Lakeshore Drive one might be.
Providing recreational and economic benefits for the community.
Attracting appropriate high-quality development.
Improving access and connections between existing and proposed facilities.
Improving street paving, landscape, lighting and signage amenities.
Promoting continuity, consistency and equity in development standards.
Retaining a distinctive character that defines Clearlake.
The design guidelines will not make change happen. The rate and direction of change will depend primarily on private investment. “There are a lot of good concepts and ideas in there,” Neiman said. “It”s going to take property and business owners working with the city in a cooperative manner to try and accomplish some of these things.” The Lakeshore Drive Design Guidelines document will be made available to the public for review following its presentation to the city council and planning commission.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
