In response to your recent article on transit-oriented development (TOD), no one would argue against more pedestrian-friendly urban design and it makes sense when we plan new communities to consider some higher density near transportation hubs. But high-density, infill development in built-up urban areas is likely to be a developer driven agenda to control land use and ownership. Developer lobby groups like the Bay Area Council, Urban Land Institute, Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, Peninsula Coalition, etc. see a goldmine in real estate speculation in redeveloping along older transportation corridors.
Greenbelt Alliance's "Smart Infill" guide clearly states the strategy: "cities or their redevelopment agencies can use eminent domain to acquire land and resell or lease it to developers." With some of the most expensive real estate in the world, the Bay Area is ground zero for one of the largest landgrabs in history. When smart growth advocates talk about "vibrant" communities, they are talking about housing and amenities for the influx of new residents, the higher-income new economy professionals who comprise 50 percent of the ABAG projections in population increase. Most new housing is market rate with the very few affordable units targeted to 120 percent of median income. There is no plan to curb sprawl. In case you haven't noticed, the smart growth movement has been co-opted by the pro-growth building lobby. They plan to continue sprawl in suburban areas while changing zoning for vertical sprawl in urban areas. Unrestrained growth is not sustainable. How can livability and environmental protection benefit from a "build it and they will come" mentality?
The pro-growth lobby has been successful in weakening environmental impact legislation, protecting developers from defect suits, and taking away local control and oversight of planning and zoning through state mandated higher density. If you believe that smart growth (transit-oriented development) is about saving the environment or providing housing for people priced out of the Bay Area, then you probably believe that oil companies are in the business of saving wildlife.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.