Atascadero residents asked for input on El Camino Real Corridor Plan
–The City of Atascadero is inviting residents, business owners, and visitors to attend the second public outreach event for the El Camino Real Corridor Plan this Saturday during Colony Days, Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Historic City Hall (6500 Palma Ave.)
Atascadero’s El Camino Real corridor is the primary access to all of the community’s local shopping, services, the downtown area, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The city is currently in the process of conducting an “El Camino Real Corridor Study,” which will serve as a guideline for the route’s commercial opportunities and transportation connections through town. The goal is to provide a blueprint that could transform El Camino Real into a more effective, well-functioning, economic hub. This study is being funded by a grant received from Caltrans.
This is the first time since the city’s incorporation back in 1979 that there’s been a fully comprehensive study like this for El Camino Real in Atascadero. This study will help to bring earlier efforts and more recent investments together. “PlaceWorks,” the firm selected by the city earlier this year to complete the project, has been gathering traffic data, analyzing land uses and looking at numerous options to improve El Camino Real and the businesses all along the way. Existing zoning, together with transportation and land uses for our commercial locations and their neighboring, complimentary uses are all being thoroughly analyzed.
The city’s stated goal is to be able to grow Atascadero’s employment and economy, achieve an improved jobs-to-housing balance and reduce the need for residents to travel out of town. A Market Assessment, which is being done concurrently with the study, will look at how El Camino Real currently performs on an economic level and will help to identify our potential. By better understanding what the local economy can support, the city can focus on attracting the types of businesses that are needed and desired in the community.
The El Camino Real Corridor Plan is a collaborative effort, which will incorporate feedback from residents, business owners, city staff, and the Atascadero City Council. Public input throughout this planning process is key in developing a plan that reflects the vision of the Atascadero community.
For additional information, please contact the Atascadero Community Development Department at (805) 461-5000.
