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Pedestrian Safety, Rispin Mansion and Capitola Theatre Project Are on the Minds of Capitola Voters
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Pedestrian Safety, Rispin Mansion and Capitola Theatre Project Are on the Minds of Capitola Voters
By Elizabeth Giuffre
Getting a feel for the word on the street, City Council candidates have been walking the precincts and listening to voters. The future of the city-owned Rispin Mansion property on Wharf Road and a Barry Swenson-backed hotel deal on the Esplanade are among some of the issues on people’s minds, in addition to pedestrian safety and city spending.
“Voters believe Capitola has its own special character,” said Council Candidate Ed Newman, who currently serves as a Capitola planning commissioner. “They do not see a need to drift toward the values and policies of other parts of the County. They want Capitola to remain independent and unique.”
Capitola citizens are very curious as to how each of the seven candidates will represent their concerns and ideas. Boris Seibert, a council candidate and inside sales director for Plantronics, summarized some critical issues.
“Citizens and local business owners are extremely worried about parking, traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the Village,” he said.
Candidate and former Capitola mayor Ron Graves said he started walking on Oct. 1 and plans to meet voters throughout the month. He said that voters have So far talked about city finances and concerns about news that developer Barry Swenson plans to construct a new 70-something-room hotel where the Capitola Theater currently stands. He said a number of people had approached him worried that the current council might support a city-financed $20-million two-story garage to make a “large” hotel project possible in the Village.
“However, everybody agrees that the property needs to be upgraded,” Graves said.
Graves added that voters were also concerned about parking in the Village, especially seniors who can’t walk to the beach or Village restaurants.
Newman has been walking the neighborhoods as well. He also heard voters talk about the Swenson project and traffic.
“Traffic and circulation are a big concern of the voters. This applies to many areas of Capitola, not just the Village,” Newman added.
Newman said some people were suspicious of the City and Swenson forming a partnership.
“Many voters are unclear as to what is or may be happening with that property, and suspicious of any potential partnership between the developer and the city,” said Newman, addressing the proposal of a large waterfront hotel on the old theatre lot.
He also added, “Everyone recognizes that the site is important to the future of the Village.”
Pedestrian Safety an Issue
Many of the candidates mentioned street safety.
“There is continued concern about pedestrian safety throughout the entire city,” said City Council candidate Daniel Passino, who is also a member of Capitola’s planning commission.
Passino, who also chairs the Village Master Plan Advisory Committee, said that seniors are especially concerned about pedestrian safety.
According to Passino, Grace Street and the Nob Hill intersection have also been cause for worry.
“Many seniors use that crosswalk. It is heavily traveled,” he said.
Council candidate Sam Storey, Community Bridges Executive Director, has heard from the neighbors around the Clares Street area. They talked about the lack of crosswalks and problems with speeding cars.
On Storey’s walks through the precincts, he heard much about “maintaining the peace and quiet.” He said Capitola residents wish to preserve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.
“Folks, of course, are always talking about the traffic issues,” said Council candidate Maureen O’Malley-Moore, a policy analyst for Santa Clara County supervisors. “The other thing that I kind of find interesting is that folks are very interested in this election because of the three incumbents who are leaving and so they’re eager to know who the people are who are running. That’s a good thing.”
O’Malley-Moore, who has gotten much of her feedback from the citizens living in mobile home parks, said, “By and large, they all pretty much agree on the same thing. It’s all about the city’s ability to [be financially stable].”
She said people are weary about financial burdens on the city. They told her that “time’s up” on the Rispin Mansion project and that there’s just no more money for it.
Rispin and Golino Properties â€" Should the City Develop a Hotel and a New Park?
Presently, Capitola is in a contract with private developers that pledges $3 million in Capitola’s redevelopment funding to help construct a boutique hotel at the city-owned Rispin project.
O’Malley-Moore said that the people she spoke with also rejected the proposal for Capitola to purchase the Golino property near Capitola Village for a park.
Newman has heard split opinions on the Rispin and Golino projects.
“Many voters see great benefit to preserving historical properties such as Rispin and Golino,” he said, “Others question whether the city of Capitola should be so directly involved in those projects, and whether they represent the best use of public funds.”
Candidate Bob Begun, currently Capitola’s Treasurer who failed to win a seat in the last council election, also reported that people he met are concerned with why the City is spending $3 million on the Rispin Mansion.
What he heard about the Golino Property was that, “It would be a wonderful addition to the city as a park,” and on the flip side, “We don’t have the money for it.”
Begun has also been hearing from those worried about ADA (disability standard) access, facilities and requirements.
“Some people are upset over the approved condo project on 41st Avenue because of its size,” said Passino, and added people think that the 55-unit building would compromise the look and character of this part of Capitola.
“There is insufficient parking in that dense of a development,” he said.
On another zoning issue, Passino has been listening to Capitola citizens about general senior care and continuity.
“Really, as the population ages in Capitola, there’s growing concern whether there will be enough assisted living senior centers,” he added.
No Radical Changes Needed
Graves said that he was asked to run because of his past experience on the Council, especially since term limits have forced the Council’s only veteran members into retirement this November. His past Council work may be a boost if Newman is right that most voters he talked with are mostly pleased about Capitola.
Overall, Newman said, “Capitola citizens appreciate their community and generally are satisfied with the work of their local government. They do not want to see radical change, and there is no great clamor for reform.”
A City Council Candidate forum to address these and other issues, sponsored by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Council Chambers, 420 Capitola Avenue.
Questions from the audience will be accepted at the door to be addressed as time permits. Anonymous questions may be faxed to the Capitola-Soquel Chamber office at 831-475-6530 or to the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce at 831-475-6522 before Oct. 4.
While her name will still appear on the ballot, candidate Gail Levey said that she has dropped out of the race.
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