OPCO Tackles Architecture, Boulangerie Site and Homeless at Annual Conference

By Teresa Rochester

Lackluster attendance didn't stop the Ocean Park Community Organization (OPCO) from taking on several meaty issues at its annual general membership meeting last Saturday or from electing five new members to its board of directors.

Architectural styles in Ocean Park, the development of the Boulangerie site on Main Street and the homeless topped the agenda of OPCO's "Community Congress," which drew nearly 100 residents. Among those attending were four City Council members -- including Mayor Michael Feinstein --, and members of a number of City board and commissions, as well as City staff.

In a series of votes that saw little opposition, the organization's members filled five of the six open seats on OPCO's board of directors.

One of the day's longer discussions centered on architectural styles allowed in the City's oldest neighborhood. According to City guidelines, only three styles may be used to construct or remodel homes in Ocean Park -- Craftsman, Modern and Mediterranean.

The issue was placed on the agenda after Ocean Park residents protested the City's Architectural Review Board's approval of a project that was a mixture of the three styles. OPCO is looking at the possibility of having those guidelines revised and tightened to keep projects from slipping through the cracks.

"If you read it [the guidelines] it's pretty straightforward but others will say no it means this," said OPCO chair Rick Laudati. "If there was a revision it would come from Ocean Park instead of the City."

The discussion was led by OPCO's Design Standard Review Committee chair Mario Fonda Bonardi, and included Susan Healy Keene from the City's Planning Department and ARB member Joan Charles. Laudati said that any final decisions on the guidelines are still a long way off.

Howard Jacobs, who will develop the site on Main Street once occupied by the Boulangerie, presented scaled down plans of the project. Previous project designs had raised the ire of neighbors, who worried the project would bring too much traffic, is too big for the area and will cause major disruption while it is under construction.

Laudati said that although the project has been scaled back tremendously, "people still have some questions. It's not as negative as it was last year. I think there may be some kinks to work out."

The issue of homelessness also was discussed at the congress. Joel Schwartz, the City's homeless services coordinator, and Joe Gardner of the SMPD's homeless liaison team, fielded questions and provided information on the City's homeless services. Members of the City's Social Services Commission also attended, taking copious notes during the discussion.

"I don't know if we hit a lot of new ground," Laudati said.

Homelessness was named as one of OPCO three priorities for the coming year, along with developing the new Civic Center area and environmental issues.

Elected to OPCO's board of directors were John Coluccio, Joe Pipersky, Laurel Roennau, Bill Sunbald and Fred Whitlock.

Laudati said that OPCO has recently completed a survey for its residents and the organization plans to hold another Community Congress in the summer. In the past the events have drawn between 200 to 300 OPCO members.