It was great to see the designs you posted, very useful. Why is each architectural design basically the same as every other one, and all of them derivative of Boulder? Why are we trying to turn Lafayette into Boulder? Is there not someone in this town who can articulate to these architects what Lafayette is about? LURA, please design architectural standards that are distinctly different than Boulder. Take a stand, please! Thank you.
I'm glad you found the post useful Franklin! You are asking great questions. I would encourage you to contact our planning department and share your opinion. You can also let LURA know.
The architect Eric Hartronft is a one trick pony. He only knows how to design square bird houses to the property line without any aesthetic at all. Why does Lafayette keep allowing him to deaden our city with these talentless designs?
Thanks very much for doing this research! Re the Baseline and Carr design, Shoehorn Terrace was sold to LURA/planning commission as having three live-work spaces fronting Baseline. (The architect Eric Hartronft seems to love that concept). But the developer didn't guarantee these spaces would actually have the "work" component, and as best as I can tell, they're only residences. I don't want to see the same thing happen with this development. That section of Baseline needs to be commercial in order to bring in the sales taxes that pay for the services the residences would use.
I agree. The design for the live-work buildings at Baseline and Carr looks like the Shoehorn Terrace buildings. No attempt to make them look different. The issue I have with Shoehorn Terrace live-work units is that the windows are tinted and there is no signage. So how do we even know there is a business there? It's not acceptable. If the concept is for it to be a place to work then the design should be welcoming to customers and make it clear it is a business. Otherwise it is a ruse to sell the idea when it's not really going to be that.
Thank you Karen! Any news on what’s happening with the Lafayette Florist building? Also, in case some haven’t heard, I believe they have approve a Carl’s Jr restaurant for the space next to Dairy Queen right across from the hospital. Not sure when that is expected to go up, but it seemed from the council meeting I watched that it was in the late stages of planning.
I have nothing to report on Lafayette Florist yet. I did report on Carl's Jr going through the city process in March. It was in my first Catch-all Corner post!
It was great to see the designs you posted, very useful. Why is each architectural design basically the same as every other one, and all of them derivative of Boulder? Why are we trying to turn Lafayette into Boulder? Is there not someone in this town who can articulate to these architects what Lafayette is about? LURA, please design architectural standards that are distinctly different than Boulder. Take a stand, please! Thank you.
I'm glad you found the post useful Franklin! You are asking great questions. I would encourage you to contact our planning department and share your opinion. You can also let LURA know.
Send comments to brigid.keating@lafayetteco.gov and ask they be shared with LURA
For planning send to our Interim Planning and Building Director Steven Williams Steven.Williams@lafayetteco.gov
There is a Downtown Vision plan for LURA you might be interested in seeing.
https://www.lafayetteco.gov/378/Lafayette-Urban-Renewal-Authority
The architect Eric Hartronft is a one trick pony. He only knows how to design square bird houses to the property line without any aesthetic at all. Why does Lafayette keep allowing him to deaden our city with these talentless designs?
Excellent question Matt! I think we as residents have to speak up and say we want something different.
Thanks very much for doing this research! Re the Baseline and Carr design, Shoehorn Terrace was sold to LURA/planning commission as having three live-work spaces fronting Baseline. (The architect Eric Hartronft seems to love that concept). But the developer didn't guarantee these spaces would actually have the "work" component, and as best as I can tell, they're only residences. I don't want to see the same thing happen with this development. That section of Baseline needs to be commercial in order to bring in the sales taxes that pay for the services the residences would use.
I agree. The design for the live-work buildings at Baseline and Carr looks like the Shoehorn Terrace buildings. No attempt to make them look different. The issue I have with Shoehorn Terrace live-work units is that the windows are tinted and there is no signage. So how do we even know there is a business there? It's not acceptable. If the concept is for it to be a place to work then the design should be welcoming to customers and make it clear it is a business. Otherwise it is a ruse to sell the idea when it's not really going to be that.
I have been looking for exactly this for months. Such detail, and comprehensiveness!
Whoo hoo! I am so glad you found it useful, thanks for the kind words.
Thank you Karen! Any news on what’s happening with the Lafayette Florist building? Also, in case some haven’t heard, I believe they have approve a Carl’s Jr restaurant for the space next to Dairy Queen right across from the hospital. Not sure when that is expected to go up, but it seemed from the council meeting I watched that it was in the late stages of planning.
I have nothing to report on Lafayette Florist yet. I did report on Carl's Jr going through the city process in March. It was in my first Catch-all Corner post!
https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/catch-all-corner-food-water-drugs?utm_source=publication-search
Thank you Karen for a very detailed and informative report. Much appreciated 👏
Thanks Ron!