Meetings seek views on growth, walk-ability

CLEANING UP DOWNTOWN:
Architects’ drawings available at an Aug. 6 meeting will offer options to improve the appearance of downtown Anderson, including this property on Freeman Street.

The community meetings, entitled “How Shall We Grow,” are slated to continue this week after beginning in February. The communities of Anderson, Cottonwood and Happy Valley will each meet on their own to assess community walk-ability, understand the impact community design has on residents and create a vision for future growth to follow.

All three communities are invited to attend a visioning seminar Aug. 6 entitled, “Community Design Matters: Building Walkable, Healthy, Livable Communities.” It will be presented by Paul Zykofsky of the Local Government Commission on at West Valley High School from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Public’s help sought

The Anderson Planing Department has invited Anderson residents to attend a planning session for the future downtown mixed-use district.

Architects have taken impressions from the Anderson community and created options for the community’s perusal.

The changes involve mixed-use zoning along with eliminating blight.

A large map of Anderson will be available to help attendees visualize proposed changes.

The meeting will be held at the Anderson Teen Center, 2889 East Center St., July 17, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Viable options needed

Safe pathways for walkers and bicyclists in Happy Valley have been recognized as a need by Healthy Eating, Active Communities (HEAC). A meeting in Happy Valley Elementary School, 17480 Palm Ave., July 22, at 8 a.m. is scheduled to give residents an opportunity to gauge walk-ability in their community. Recommended dress for the meeting includes walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

“We’re making an assessment to create connectivity so people have safe places to get out and walk,” said Christine Haggard, adding that there is no connectivity between schools.

The project, sponsored by HEAC, aims to connect by trails or bike lane West Valley High School, Happy Valley Elementary, the Happy Valley Community Center and the prospective Happy Valley Park.

Since sidewalks are expensive, Haggard said some areas may be better served by an expanded shoulder on the road.

Happy Valley went through a similar development five years ago when the pavement strip along Olinda Road was installed as a part of the Safe Routes to School initiative of the Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children.

In that instance, Haggard said the route was built in several small steps, with the help of construction crews dumping unused portions of gravel along the path. Haggard added that when 50 feet of gravel had been laid, then a crew would be sent out to level the path.

For more information and to confirm participation in the assessment, call 378-6060.

ID walking pathways

A Cottonwood walking guide and walk-ability assessment walk will be held July 19 at 8 a.m. from the Cottonwood Community Center, 20595 Gas Point Road.

Proposed walkways include Rancho Road to North Cottonwood School, Rhonda Road to connect Anderson and Cottonwood, and a trail near Adobe Road.