LIVERMORE — With the first of three brainstorming meetings on the future of northeast Livermore scheduled for next week, some residents concerned about the future of Springtown Golf Course are miffed the forums won’t take place in the most affected neighborhood. While organizers say they decided to move the meetings to the Shrine Event Center in downtown Livermore because they expect a crowd that can’t be accommodated in the Springtown area, the announcement came days after that homeowners in that area handed out flyers touting the time and address. from the local primary school where it was planned to take place.
“It’s not the money, it’s the time we spent canvassing neighborhoods,” said Jason Cain of the Springtown Golf Course Committee.
Cain and Kathleen Laing Schoening, who edit the Springtown Homeowners Association newsletter, were informed that the first two meetings would be held at Altamont Creek Elementary School in the Springtown Golf Course neighborhood.
It’s this golf course — and what it will eventually be used for — that has caught the attention of residents who fear it could be considered for development.
It’s a possibility that was included in a report by city consultant Design, Community and Environment. The report, submitted to the municipal council on March 10, will serve as a starting point for the reflection sessions.
The Springtown Library, other area parks and the neighborhood fire station are also on the agenda. The study is the result of northeast Livermore residents saying they feel underserved by public facilities.
Despite assurances from city officials that no decision will be made until the public’s will is heard, residents have expressed suspicions since the idea of reusing the golf course was mooted in September.
Schoening said at Monday’s city council meeting that she posted the wrong location in the owners’ newsletter before being told it had been changed due to the number of people expected.
“The Altamont school was way too small,” consultant David Early said. “We were originally hoping to find a location in north Livermore, but it became apparent that there was no facility there that could accommodate more than 150 people.”
He said they expected 300 to 400 residents to show up at the Shrine Event Center, which can accommodate up to 500.
Early said a staff member will be at the school site the night of the meeting to redirect people to the new location, which is more than seven miles away.
“I’m sure there are a few people who won’t be able to come, but we thought it was more important that everyone could have a seat at the table,” Early said.
Dan McIntyre, the city’s public works director, said they mailed 4,000 flyers to area residents last week and plan to put up two large banners and drop off materials at local businesses to making sure everyone knows the correct location.
Meetings will be sequential, with the first session resulting in ideas that will be brought to the second, with these concepts building into a preliminary idea that will be presented in the third meeting.
Eric Kurhi covers Livermore. Contact him at 925-847-2184 or [email protected].
If you are going to
WHAT: First public consultation meeting on Northeast Livermore Public Facilities Plan
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday. The next meetings will take place on May 21 and June 25. The meetings are progressive and concerned residents are encouraged to attend all three.
WHERE: Shrine Event Center, 170 Lindbergh Ave., Livermore
INFO: http://www.ci.livermore.ca.us/north_livermore/northlivermore.html
