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Home Resource Center In the News Home Greenbelt Alliance in the News |
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Greenbelt Alliance In the News
March 23, 2006 Bid to uncap development stirs debate WALNUT CREEK: Council to continue discussions April 4 after more than 100 residents attend meeting about draft By Theresa HarringtonWalnut Creek officials and residents are at loggerheads over a proposal to eliminate a cap on housing development in the city's draft general plan, which will guide growth through 2025. More than 100 residents packed the City Council chamber Tuesday for the council's first discussion about the plan. Several members of a group called HELP -- Homeowners Engaged in Local Planning -- passed out fliers titled: "Whose city .... developers' or residents'?" "There's never been anything like this since Measure H passed in 1985," said resident Al Loosli, referring to a Walnut Creek growth limitation initiative that was later overturned by the state Supreme Court. "This is the most citizens have been involved, because everything had been going smooth." Things started getting bumpy for Walnut Creek leaders last year, when many residents became alarmed by proposed growth limit increases, which they feared would bring more traffic congestion. At that time, the City Council agreed to keep its commercial growth limit of 75,000 square feet. But its draft general plan proposes eliminating a previous housing cap of 2,550 units in 10 years and excluding the Shadelands Business Park from the commercial cap. By 2025, the proposed plan would allow up to 5,342 housing units and 1.5 million square feet of commercial development, not including the Shadelands. After more than 25 people spoke passionately about what they like and don't like about the voluminous plan, the council on Tuesday agreed to continue discussions on April 4. Some residents, housing advocates, environmentalists and business representatives supported the plan's emphasis on downtown residential development, saying it would fill a need for affordable housing and prevent sprawl. "I don't think Walnut Creek is anymore a suburban dormitory town like it once was," said John Chapman of the Greenbelt Alliance, who praised the city's commitment to smart growth development near transit. "You lead and many others seek to emulate you." But more than a dozen residents expressed concerns about the plan. Many feared downtown development would add to traffic congestion, destroying their quality of life. "Our city," said resident Rich Cotruro, "seems to equate progress with construction." Resident Andrea Morse asked the city to cap housing at 125 units a year, based on passed housing construction trends. "I don't think Walnut Creek can build much more before we start choking ourselves," Morse said. Hardy Miller, a resident who helped lead opposition to the city's recently failed library bond measure, asked the city to create a "no housing zone" downtown between North California Boulevard, Ygnacio Valley Road, Newell Avenue and North Broadway. Some residents were concerned about exempting the Shadelands and community buildings from the commercial growth limit, height limits, retaining views, how the city budget and crime are related to growth, and how soon the city will create new bike trails. A few urged the city to quickly implement "green" energy-conservation and recycling policies. Gary Ginder, a Walnut Creek Historical Society member, asked the council to reduce height limits in the traditional downtown area and prohibit property owners from merging parcels. Toyota of Walnut Creek director John Schafer said he was happy the plan would raise height limits on property around his North Broadway dealership from 35 feet to 50 feet, allowing a major expansion. A lifetime Walnut Creek resident, he was also encouraged by the city's desire to create more affordable housing, which he said would help today's children remain in the community as adults. "Hopefully," he said, "my sons will end up being the fourth generation at our dealership." But others said continued development and traffic congestion could drive people out of Walnut Creek. Concord's planned Naval Weapons Station development is also likely to clog city thoroughfares, predicted former Walnut Creek mayor Ed Dimmick. "Right now," he told the council, "Walnut Creek is the envy of many, many people. You're going to have to work hard to keep it that way."
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