Preferred Plan = “Balanced Development”

The Contra Costa Times wrote an editorial on Thursday, January 15 about the City Council's choice of a Preferred Alternative for the CNWS Base Reuse calling it "Balanced Development".

The editorial hasn't been posted on their website – so I'm providing a link to a pdf version here.

As the editorial – and each of my colleagues have pointed out – this is not a final decision, but the next step in the planning process. Now the Navy can move forward with their own environmental studies and we can finish our environmental review (EIR). New information or issues may come to light that require us to modify the final plan before placing it in our General Plan and adopting implementing policies – so public participation and input is still vital as we move forward.

I'd like to thank the Community Advisory Committee members who spent countless hours reviewing public input and professional advice to arrive at their recommendation. The Council took both the majority and minority reports seriously. I also appreciated the patience and civility everyone who testified showed in presenting their ideas and concerns. As I said Monday evening – in recent history most large-scale development efforts have been developer/property owner driven. I am proud we were able to create a citizen driven planning process with a tremendous degree of transparency. You should be too. Stay tuned.

http://worldviewpr.com BGR

The CAC did a tremendous job, in spite of the various attempts to push it off course. Now let’s see what plans get recommended and see if Concord Citizens actually get to say yes or no.
Rob Gardner

I wouldn’t call the clustered villages plan balanced. A balanced plan would include high end, luxury homes on big lots in gated neighborhoods — not mostly high density, low end condos and apartments with 15% low income occupants. I don’t believe that the CAC did a good job at all, and I find it hypocritical that the city council members live in big homes on large lots and they preach to us how modern and environmentally responsible it is to raise your family on the fourth floor of a condo complex next to the BART station and alongside the freeway.
http://profile.typepad.com/guybjerke Guy Bjerke

Rob-

I think the “balance” the Times is referring to is between development vs. open space/parks. The Clustered Villages plan does designate some areas for low density residential. Whether they are high end, luxury homes or not will be up to the market. Concord has many single-family subdivisions of various sizes and ages as choices for people looking to raise a family – to me that’s a plus. BTW – I didn’t always live in a big home. Like most I started in a condo and worked my way up the housing ladder. I also don’t remember the “preaching” you refer to – but I do thank you for taking the time to express your views.