The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Resource team aims to offer public input on downtown

By Eric Drudis

Two weeks after the city signed a contract with Mozart Development Group to build three high-rise office buildings and a 150-room hotel, Sunnyvale leaders discussed their goals for a revitalized downtown Sept. 2.

The Downtown Planning Resource Team, a group of business and community leaders working with residents, met with Mozart representative Jim Baer to hammer out goals and approve a mission statement for the 3-month-old group.

"There were a lot of people who were interested in the downtown, and we wanted to have a forum--more than just a public hearing process--where people could be involved in downtown issues," said community development officer Dyane Matas, who organized the resource team. "[We want] to help as many people as possible get information about the downtown and provide opportunities for involvement."

Although the resource team has no formal powers, since it can only comment on projects but not veto them, it is a "direct voice" to downtown planners, Matas said.

"This is not going to replace any Planning Commission or City Council," Matas said. "It is just part of the public information process."

Downtown developers said the resource team will provide useful information about what residents want in downtown and will serve as a link between city residents and Mozart Development Group.

Mozart representatives have attended all three meetings, and the owners of Sunnyvale Town Center and the Town & Country Village are aware of the resource team's progress.

Information, Dyane Matas said, is the ultimate goal of the resource team. "We're trying to sort out issues and develop a program to address them. We want to have a broader viewpoint on issues relevant to downtown. The resource team will meet as long as it needs to meet. "

At the Sept. 2 meeting, Baer offered to provide the resource team with information about Mozart developments.

"[Mozart] can possibly bring in specialists and provide the resource team with information on what we have so far as to the options we know of," Baer said.

Steven Dostart, who is in charge of the entire downtown project, said Mozart has received city approval and is now working on the project's documentation with the city.

Trudi Ryan, a planning officer, gave the resource team a brief synopsis of the 150-page Downtown Specific Plan and said there is still "a lot to do" before downtown plans are finished.

"The plan isn't fully implemented," Ryan said. "It's envisioned to take 10 to 15 years to accomplish all the redevelopment."

But for now, downtown project initiatives are coming from several property owners--but none will require another full environmental impact report. Instead, the city will require a traffic-impact study from new projects, Ryan said.

The next resource team meeting will be Oct. 7, and residents are urged to attend. For more information, residents can contact Matas at the city or visit the city's Web page.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, September 9, 1998.
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