Riverbank eyes downtown guidelines

City aims to hash out limits on architecture

December 31, 2007 02:16:34 AM

By EVE HIGHTOWER [ehightower@modbee.com]

Updates to downtown Riverbank aren't over yet.

After new drainage pipes and other infrastructure are laid, and roads are repaved and beautified, there will be more to come.

City officials are hashing out architectural guidelines for downtown. The guidelines are meant to simplify the approval process for developers and investors.

Earlier this year, the city held community-planning meetings to hear what residents thought ought to be done with the downtown area after basic renovations and landscaping. Residents are invited back Jan. 9 to make sure their comments were heard.

"Residents may not like new development and architecture guidelines. That's why we need them at the meeting," said Tim Ogden, Riverbank's economic development director.

The plan is to develop a set of basic guidelines for those interested in working on buildings or homes in the downtown area from Seventh Street to the old tomato processing plant near First Street, and from Atchison Street to Patterson Road.

"We're thinking long term," Ogden said. "It will streamline the process and ensure compatibility. We just say, 'This is what the community wants.' "

Rather than "new regulation," city officials are calling the plan "risk-assurance regulation."

New homes would have to match a similar standard, Ogden said.

To help accomplish the city's long-term vision, city officials might develop a funding program for those renovating facades on their homes or buildings.

The tomato processing plant likely would be most affected by the standards. While little has been done with the plant since it closed about a year ago, city officials hope to see a variety of things go into the space.

"There are no plans now, but things are brewing," Ogden said.

In addition to new investors, the city would have to follow the guidelines established by residents. The city recently began renovating the
Del Rio Theater building and plans to build a parking structure downtown.

It's likely the city will buy more downtown buildings. If so, it is obligated to bid on property along with other potential buyers. The most likely city entity to purchase property for renovation is the redevelopment agency, which has agreed not to use eminent domain.

Until then, work on the downtown project has slowed because of weather and the holidays, but should pick up next month, said Jan Stanley, whom the city hired to keep residents abreast of the project's progress.

Crews have finished installing water and drainage pipes along Santa Fe Street and have repaved the street. It is open to traffic.

Crews will begin work on Third Street next month.

Bee staff writer Eve Hightower can be reached at 578-2382 or ehightower@modbee.com