September 10, 2008

From the Mayor’s Desk

Study sessions make for a busy summer

By Mayor Donald R. Burr
Special to the Times

Despite the summer break, the Campbell City Council continued working and held a number of Study Sessions on a variety of important subjects such as a proposed General Plan amendment to allow housing on a 2.7 acre site at Bucknall and San Tomas Aquino Roads; proposed amendments to Campbell’s Zoning Code to incorporate historic preservation elements; and to review and discuss “green” policies and practices.

Last month, the Campbell City Council held a Study Session on the Civic Center East Master Plan to review the needs for future increased library space, a Heritage Orchard, and the Museum/Ainsley House upgrades, and associated parking requirements at the project site. The city awarded a contract to Group 4 Architects to develop and complete the master plan. The firm has already conducted several stakeholder meetings to solicit input on the project and has finished site and building program needs for the Civic Center East complex.

Components include a library display space for the Campbell Museum, new bathrooms and catering kitchen for the Ainsley House and a new City Emergency Operations Center [EOC]. The city’s various advisory commissions and boards will be reviewing strategy options in September before the City Council approves the final master plan at its regular meeting on Oct. 7. Unfortunately, no funding is available at this time to implement the master plan.

Meanwhile, tickets are now on sale for the Heritage Theatre’s 2008-2009 season. Scheduled performers include The Best of Momix, the National Acrobats of China, Cherryholmes, Ledisi, America, and Blues Traveler. Additional shows to the season include Late Night Catechism and Defending the Cave-man. For more information, call the Heritage Theatre at (408) 866-2700 or visit www.HeritageTheatre.org.