www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2008/02/17/news/centra -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 1/1/2008
Last Visited: 2/17/2008
At the request of Mayor John Shoals, the staff agreed to expand the stated purpose of the ordinance to note it seeks significantly higher design quality, improved pedestrian access, good environmental design, high energy efficiency and the efficient use of resources.
"We want to get quality design, not just relaxed standards," Shoals said."I think the ordinance needs to tell people what the city expects."
He told fellow council members, "We are trying to craft an ordinance that will live beyond the five of us here."
Shoals also asked the staff about a letter from the California Central Coast Chapter of the American Institute of Architects that said meeting the energy-efficiency goal could raise construction costs and make affordable housing less affordable.