Cheers to the voters of Moorpark for voting down the North Park project. They already have the Moorpark Highlands project to look forward to. With interest rates rising, I would suspect not too many families are going to be able to afford the prices.
And as I walk down my block of formerly single family-filled houses, of the nine, only four remain occupied by the single-family definition. One has co-owner living, and four are boarding houses, defined as “owner rents rooms to afford the mortgage.�
The two housing projects that I’d rate as “'smart thinking� are the units in the Kohl’s shopping center, across from grocery, retail, movie theater, library and senior center; and the project behind the new Simi Town Center, both of which equate to more foot traffic, fewer cars, less pollution, less hypertension, etc.
But if you want really affordable, these developers might want to think “boarding house,� a place with communal living, dining and one’s own room, with enough parking for all. Then those who can’t make CEO or run for office, or are over 55, could have a place to call home without the resentment of what’s left of a single-family neighborhood.
Get real. Create for the real world, not the dream one that few will or can afford. Use our space wisely.
— Lyn McLaughlin, Simi Valley
Re: What about Sea Gate ? and Mobs and politicians
In light of what's happening locally in the development arena I would venture to say "Smart Growth" should REQUIRE City Council members and City Planners, the few and the wise, to take an IQ test prior to pushing "Smart Growth" policies.(see Bruce Berckman 3/7/06 comment) This would help qualify the folks that are advocating it.
This simple process would make it easier for the "smartgrowthers" to recognize that "Smart Growth" can at times create bad things like "gridlock" as in the 2 lane portion of Harbor Bl. and Victoria Av (only 2 of many more)between 7:30 and 9:00 AM then again between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. Sometimes this will ascend into "Total Vehicular Chaos" when there is a minor accident, usually directly related to the gridlock and roadrage that comes with it. Flooding when it rains is downright dangerous. I work in Ventura and have had the misfortune to experience it many times since the "smartgrowthers" got here.I can't afford to live in Ventura then walk to work. I know this will sound familiar to my fellow commuters in SB,Camarillo, TO, and all points south.
On several weekend occasions I have tried to go to SB for a day of sightseeing but then turned back when confronted with an endless stream of gridlocked tail lights starting at Emma Wood beach. That sort of thing was rare before the "smartgrowthers" got here. Remember, all this new development is between these two old roads. What puzzles me with this whole scenario is why we, the large group of stupid people,(see Bruce Berckman 3/7/06) can see this and not the "smartgrowthers".
I have a sneaking suspicion that these folks are from other areas that are already smothered in "Smart Growth" and those other areas have reached "Smart Growth Saturation"(Smart Sprawl) I wonder if these areas have been enriched by this saturation. Do they have to rely on a "special tax" to provide Fire and Police services in the "saturated areas"? I wonder how large the classrooms are ? Any strain on City and County public service organizations, Enough affordable units ? As in what most people can really afford (unles you're an Artist in Ventura) and not what the "smartgrowthers" consider affordable. I guess with a price tag of between $600,000 and $800,000 a copy its hard to squeeze a few bucks out for the obviously low priority items mentioned above. God forbid it becomes a condition BEFORE "Smart Growth" can begin. How can any of these situations get any better as we "smartgrow". Maybe "Smart Growth" should become a voter issue ? City Councils, Planners, Local Politicians, State Politicians, you can chime in at any time. Remember "Smart Growth" happens because you "the few and the wise" let it happen. We "the many and the dumb" (the voters) would love to hear from you.
Vince Tovey Silverstrand