The odd name comes from the French word for a cart used to carry architects' plans. ``Charrette'' has come to mean an intensive exercise in community planning, typically five to 10 days long, that brings together all the interested parties -- neighbors, businesses, property owners -- to discuss the future of a property or a community.

As people talk, designers draw the ideas, tempered by constraints such as financing. The result ideally is a plan to produce the kind of place people want.

The Evergreen Eastridge Charrette was conducted by the Knight Program in Community Building in cooperation with the city and redevelopment agency of San Jose. Local sponsors included the Mercury News and the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group. A preliminary report was presented to the public Monday night, and a full written report will be available by January. For more information, contact San Jose Deputy Planning Director Laurel Prevetti at 408 277-4576. To learn more about the Knight Program in Community Building, go to: www.arc.miami.edu/knight