By Kristina Pritchett
Dana Point residents were able to catch a glimpse of and provide suggestions about what Doheny Village could look like during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Inside Capo Beach Church, Opticos Design, Inc. told city officials and residents about the form-based code that could reshape Doheny Village into a walkable urban district.
“I think we heard loud and clear what the residents want to see,” said Dan Parolek, principal of Opticos Design, Inc.
Last year, Opticos was hired by the city to help residents refine the vision of Doheny Village. Over the course of five days, Opticos staff held a design charette where residents, city officials and Opticos staff discussed ideas they wanted to see in the village. At the end of the meeting, designs were set up in the room, and people were able to comment on them.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Parolek showed a concept for the village that pinpointed four district environments, each with its own zoning code. These included a “maker district” with walkable streets and artisan shops; a main street with entertainment options and public transportation; and residential neighborhoods. Each district would be designated with either a small or large “footprint,” indicating the potential financial, social and infrastructural impacts of potential development.
“The zoning code now doesn’t allow a lot of what the community wanted,” said Tony Perez, director of form-based coding at Opticos. “Currently, it allows for drive thrus, and that’s not what the community wants to see there.”
For parking in all four districts, if the space is residential, units with one bedroom or a studio must require one parking spot. For non-residential uses, depending on size, the space could require two spots per 1,000 square feet or none at all.
Some residents voiced concerns about the flow of traffic in the village.
Parolek said officials have had transportation studies done on the area. He added that the installation of roundabouts would be beneficial, not slow traffic and would help pedestrians cross the street in a safer way.
Parolek told residents throughout the meeting that the code was not final and they want to continue to work with residents to make it what they want to see in the area. Email Cindy Nelson at cjne54@gmail.com with concerns, comments or questions.
To see the form-based code, visit www.danapoint.org/businesses/doheny-village.
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