Planning For, and Managing Growth

By Dena Bonnell

Update Housing Element of the General Plan; Community-wide dialogue needed; management oversight for design and placement of higher density housing

The second element of my position involves management of growth. Once we have a current plan in place, more dense housing might be sited near public transit or on major transportation corridors. Density does not have to be unsightly or institutional in appearance. We must demand good design, adequate open space and sufficient parking. A SRO (Single Room Occupancy) project might be sited in our downtown and provide badly needed housing for people working at the lowest wages. Again, if well designed and well managed, it could be an asset to the community and the region.

While providing such additional housing units, we must preserve and protect our many neighborhoods ‹ each with its own character and needs. We need to control traffic on their narrow streets. Additions to those neighborhoods need to be carefully designed to conform to the style and characteristics of their neighbors and not be come obtrusive or overbearing.