Milpitas Post urges thoughtful planning
“A recent study completed by the Greenbelt Alliance suggests there is plenty of room to satisfy the growth demands without extending out the already urbanized areas.
The report is called “Grow Smart Bay Area” and it points out logically that better lifestyles can come about with neighborhoods that are within walking distance of schools, shopping and public transportation. At the same time there is much greater awareness of the wider national goals to reduce sprawl, gain energy independence (drive less), reduce the costlier extensions of city services, and conserve rather than expand utility infrastructure saving water and power.”
See the full Milpitas Post editorial.
Posted: July 10th, 2009
Comments
Comment from Stephanie Reyes
Time July 22, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Mr. Ruth accurately notes that cities around the region are facing extreme budget challenges. Creating more homes to provide both property tax revenue and sales tax revenue (from more shoppers for local businesses) makes sense. But hillside homes would have a negative impact on the city’s coffers. Research by the Real Estate Research Corporation and others documents that compact growth can be as much as 70 percent cheaper for governments than equivalent volumes of scattered growth. It simply costs less to provide infrastructure (such as streets, schools, flood control or sewers) and often services (such as police or fire protection) to denser, more contiguous households than to far-flung, low-density communities.
I can understand why Mr. Ruth might want to develop on his hillside property, but those who are truly concerned about the Milpitas city budget should support focusing growth within the already developed areas of the city.
Comment from RICHARD RUTH
Time July 22, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Did you read my article in the Milpitas Post July 2, 2009? I think I made a good case for the economic need in our community for luxury housing. At a time of a city budget deficit and faced with population growth and limited land the city must redefine its’ resource use. As a broad theme reasoned growth is necessary and if Milpitas had farms, forests or watersheds to protect the Greenbelt initiatives might have value. Here in our community I believe they are stiffling our growth.