I would like to see the Post Office, Library and Visitors Bureau relocated to the Avenud of Flags and 2nd Street. This would truly create a downtown synergy because everyone would be going there every day. It would relieve the traffic on Hiway 246 and place it downtown where it is needed to attract new businesses. If you placed a Stop sign on the Avenue of Second street in both directions, it would slow the traffic down and allow more pedestrian movement for safety. It is my opinion that the Southbound offramp at the North end of town is highly dangerous and should possibly be moved further North to the City's Northern Boundary making Jonata Park road the new offramp. As it is now, traffic comes off the Northern offramp and does not slow down as it enters our downtown. Engineering needs to spent on a solution to this problem.
As far as growth goes, I think it is beneficial for the health of our city if it is controled and attractive. It was not more than 16 years ago that Buellton did not have one park, landscaped entryways, great police protection, or well maintained roads. We have come a long way from that day and I believe we have just begun if more concerned residents come to meetings and help direct our leadership in what we all want. When we become passive as has happened in the last few years, the leadership has to make uninformed decisions many times due to the lack of comments from the residents. I hope to see more of you blogging soon.
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3 comments:
Two comments. First, I remember that almost all if not all of the Council candidates said they would put a priority on developing AOF. I agree and don't see how Buellton can be better than AOF. If it does not work, neither does Buellton.
Second, I drive through the intersection Ron is talking about everyday. When you come off Jonata Park Road you have to merge left into traffic that has not slowed that much from 101 speeds. Then there are the strange curving no parking lines to your left, and a trailer yard to your right. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Thanks, Ron.
Jim.
Ron, wow, how refreshing to hear someone thinking outside of the box! You've posed an interesting idea regarding moving the southbound exit into Buellton north along Jonata Park Road. I've always found it curious that the road sign from Buellton says "Jonata Road" while the one at the opposite end of the road, by the Gun and Bow Club, calls it "Jonata Park Road" — since there is no park in sight!
What if the exit was moved north? The narrowness of the land between the highway and Jonata Park Road is tricky. However, if the exit ramp could be designed to safely exit highway traffic without causing safety issues for those living off of JPR what might that accomplish? First, it could provide a perfect place for a public park at that side of town — along JPR within the existing city limits — and a beautiful entrance into our City. Second, instead of the traffic from JPR flowing into the Avenue of Flags, it could be directed to Central Avenue, whereby making a pedestrian mall between that intersection and Damassa Road. Damassa Road could eventually be extended all the way to Central Avenue. It would be interesting to know whether the City owns the roadway and median strip of land on the Avenue? If so, the Avenue could be re-designed to be two-way (not nearly as wide) and serpentine in order to offer more land for commercial and mixed use building/arcades, etc.
This is the kind of visioning workshops the City needs to be holding — where everything is on the table so creative ideas and their off-spring can flourish!
In light of the recommendations from the economic assessment study performed by CALED (www.cityofbuellton.com/Projects/CALED/caled.pdf), perhaps the City will organize a face-to-face, open discussion on the Avenue of Flags redevelopment project. No doubt the business community as well as residents are eager for this type of process to take place.
I agree whole heartedly with both items. The citizens of Buellton have been promised the revitalization of the Avenue of the Flags for at least a decade now, but no real progress has been made.
Changing the offramp was part of the discussion when deciding to put the trailer park in. I wonder what happened to those plans?
It seems that these priorities have been superceded by rezoning for higher density residences and a crematorium.
How do we get our city government back on track?
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