Planning ahead is good. Planning far ahead is even better.
In simple terms, the adoption of design guidelines for the redevelopment of Lake Forest Park Towne Centre is a milestone in the process of recruiting a new developer to the 16-acre site, which is largely recognized as being under-utilized.
What citizens and city officials want is a place where they can shop. The mall has many quality shops and goods already, but residents want — and expect — more.
City officials, staff and residents have worked for two years now to plan, plot and prepare for the future of the site. Meetings were held. Conferences were called. Experts were consulted.
And the result: design guidelines that most, if not all, seem to find acceptable. The guidelines will eventually be the basis of negotiating with a future developer at the site and they include specifics on housing, economically-friendly building designs, transportation, parking and other criteria.
Although some in the community have said such a design plan will scare away developers, it will hopefully have the opposite effect. Perhaps developers will have the oversight to see that the guidelines will save them some work, while also allowing flexibility. The guidelines leave some room for growth, and allow a developer to decide the maximum height of development, and other details.
The community and Council should be applauded for their work and for remembering: planning ahead for Towne Centre is good.
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