City signals broader mall redevelopment work; planning staff to return with options and contract changes

At the Aug. 21 meeting the Community Development Director briefed the commission that the Capitola Mall redevelopment will be a separate, substantial implementation assignment tied to the housing element and will require additional consultant work, contract amendments and public hearings.

Staff said three options for mall-related policy work will be presented to the City Council at an upcoming meeting and that the staff contract with the consultant will require an increase because the mall scope proved larger than anticipated. The work may include updates to objective design standards and consideration of form-based code approaches, and staff noted that additional meetings (potentially both first- and third-Thursday planning commission sessions) could be required to accommodate the project schedule.

Schedule and next steps: the staff report on options for the mall was due to be published the day after the Aug. 21 meeting and the council discussion was scheduled for Sept. 11. Staff said they will brief the commission on progress at the next meeting and seek direction on meeting cadence and scope as needed.