City Council member Robin Eschliman lost her battle to prevent strict new design guidelines from going into effect in Antelope Valley and Downtown. The new rules describe how new construction may look, what materials may be used, and which types of businesses are forbidden in the affected areas.
The City's goal -- assuring quality construction in an area that is receiving a tremendous amount of public financial support -- is reasonable enough. But so, too, is Ms. Eschliman's fear that the area will become repetitive and "matchy-matchy". Furthermore, the new rules increase the costs of new development and create de facto barriers that will limit just who can come to the party. Prospective small business owners will have higher start-up costs, thus increasing their risk of failure or pushing them to locate elsewhere.
Design standards aren't an inherent evil. What I don't like is the idea of local government deciding what styles are "pretty" enough. (They'll say that's not what they're doing. It is. Tomayto / tomahto.) I also don't care for the City's insistence that some types of businesses are inherently not worthy of being seen in the neighborhood. For example, the new rules prohibit auto repair shops. Why? People in Antelope Valley don't / won't have cars that need fixing?
If these design standards are as malleable as similar decisions the City has made in the past, none of this really matters. Or perhaps there is so much pent-up demand in Antelope Valley that we won't have to question whether the rules are holding back development. That'd be nice.
What do you think?
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Just as long as they banned nail salons and cash advance stores, I’ll let them have whatever rules they want!
OK, I’ll cave. I really, truly, absolutely, positively, with every ounce of my soul, hate what modern cash advance stores have become. I may have to give you that one.
I’m picturing Uncle Sam & a giant chicken frolicking through Union Plaza.
I hope we can get another drive-thru Amigo’s to locate there too!
Seriously though, I hope they aren’t going to the extreme of Williamsburg where every building looks the same.
A style of buildings that dates back to the original styles of buildings in Lincoln would be interesting. Maybe the area could preserve some historical looks..
I’d like to see no bars on that stretch of land. Many bars bring about those who urinate in public, leave cig butts all over the place and are often drunk as skunks.
The cash advance places should ALL be closed down. They are predatory. When Baylor was on KFOR they had info that to borrow $100 for 30 days cost under $2.00 in interest at the highest rate available.
I have absolutely no problem with design standards. The Plaza in Kansas City is a model that is often brought up when discussing what Antelope Valley could be, and that is a business district with a cohesive design and planning that doesn’t look “cookie cutter.”
I would also be willing to bet, regarding the tomayto / tomahto issue, that planners would be more than willing to acknowledge that there are plenty of other “pretty” styles. The point being, anytime you choose something you’re opting NOT to choose everything else. Saying that the city is getting into the business of deciding what isn’t pretty enough seems to be making an issue out of nothing.
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