tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299108886803608881.post8328997607267508983..comments2024-03-28T17:34:21.418-07:00Comments on The South Fraser Blog: Going green, literally, in Downtown LangleyNathan Pachalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647693133663879821noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299108886803608881.post-40650346258950240782015-09-11T15:07:16.280-07:002015-09-11T15:07:16.280-07:00Sure, I'll comment. That shade of green looks ...Sure, I'll comment. That shade of green looks gross.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299108886803608881.post-81927840024020811192015-09-10T12:48:22.665-07:002015-09-10T12:48:22.665-07:00How does one establish "built-form" or &...How does one establish "built-form" or "placemaking" without some concept of what the public and business community wishes to envision? You can't simply dismiss the concept of themes as these have been the only true discussions that have arisen to drive concepts like the Downtown master Plan or the "public Realm" initiatives that have been most recently adopted. The OCP has had some consultation with "focus groups" and has been modified over the years with little citizen engagement in public forums or consultation.Frankly there has been a very low turn-out at any "open houses" intended to gain public response to proposals. How would you change this?And once again - how far would you extend the Downtown reach and to what extent would you impose form and character guidelines on existing property owners??? <br />Is there anyone else out there that might comment?Dave Hallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299108886803608881.post-51507666435896452122015-09-10T08:31:42.883-07:002015-09-10T08:31:42.883-07:00Themes are not what I'm talking about. If you ...Themes are not what I'm talking about. If you want, I suggest you check out the City of Vernon guideline.<br /><br />Even the City of Langley's own OCP and Downtown Master Plan spend a good amount of time talking about built-form. Built-form is very much something that Council would be focusing on. Placemaking is 100% the role of a city. Nathan Pachalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17647693133663879821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299108886803608881.post-69248571140106950122015-09-10T08:26:39.755-07:002015-09-10T08:26:39.755-07:00There is a clear distinction between "new dev...There is a clear distinction between "new development" and "renovation".<br />The question begs - How much involvement should the City (Council/Mayor and/or staff) have in determining aesthetics of an existing privately owned business? Certainly the Downtown Merchants Association has some interest in encouraging upgrades through their "Getting Fresh" program but this is purely voluntary and generally involves some paint and awning improvements.Renovations do not routinely come before Council and one wonders where the staff resources would come from to finance the "colour police"? The green building that you cite is beyond the generally recognized one way strip that most have advocated a theme approach for over the years. Are you suggesting that this theme approach should extend further? What theme would you suggest and how will you achieve Council support when there have been so many different advocacies in the past (50's heritage, older Langley historical, Art Deco, modern update (present public realm timeless black) etc. ? Dave Hallnoreply@blogger.com