Tue, Apr 29 2008

Buena Vista and Watsonville news

In our ongoing saga with the Watsonville's 2030 development plan, a new chapter unfolded when Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Paul Burdick stayed on the side of common sense and law this week with his ruling. I'm not saying that simply because he agrees with me. I'm saying it because Judge Burdick recognizes that the shortcut approach the city took in its continuing disregard for airport safety zones meant that the city has not fully done its homework on the Buena Vista area.

I hope the city planners will at least admit that they need to scale back their daydream for this semi-rural area with its small horse farms and rolling hills of greenery so that the area still has a unique quality that draws visitors and new residents who love the area for what it is. I've seen an example of the city's plan for dense housing in the area behind the Target store, which I believe is known as Seaview Ranch. The driveways are too short, the homes are tightly spaced with very little side clearance, the yards aren't big enough for kids to play in without having to spill over into the street with their games. If the city really wants to make Watsonville a great place to raise kids they'll think of these things in the future planning of any subdivisions. I'd like to think they've learned a valuable lesson and now I'm waiting for them to show me what they can really do now as they plan for the future of this beautiful coastal area.

posted at: 08:13 | category: /Politics | link to this entry