Here are 10 goals for the city... good luck on choosing two!
1. Make city policies consistent with the comprehensive plan, especially
page 9, which states: "As part of the city's annual budget process, population
growth for the past year, and projection for the coming year, will be analyzed
tod etermine a need and a cost for expanding city services" and page 27,
which states "Future major developments shall be required to determine their
water use and to estimate its impact upon the water table." Note the words
"will" and "shall", not "may" or "should."
2. Encourage and facilitate formation of neighborhood organizations.
3. Sponsor a "Zoning Awareness Week" so everyone knows what uses are
permitted in their zones.
4. Zone the railroad rights of way as a "transportation zone" to keep the
land in reserve for a linear park in case the Railroads abandon tracks
before the city is in a position to purchase the right of way. We don't
need any more espresso stands or carpet stores in this strategic transportation
corridor.
5. Create a new multi-family category -- something between duplexews and
mega-complexes -- to allow apartments on a more human scale. (If we want
in-filling of established neighborhoods, we can't allow multi-plexes like
the one proposed for C and Adams.)
6. Require design review of mega-plexes... can't we create a "village"
concept for apartments over a certzin size rather than rows of boxes?
7. Become advocates for bicycles and pedestrians... no street project should
go ahead without review by an advisory committee that looks at it from a
non-motorized transporation veiew point.
8. Strengthen and enhance the central business district, including the
addition of design review to require new buildings to be compatible with
historic ones. (we don't need any more metal-sided buildings downtown
like the one at D and Main).
9. See if there is community consensus for an indoor swimming center on
the east side of town, as a joint city-school district project. What will
it take to get this idea off dead-center?
10. Improve the gender balance and diversity of ages and ethnic groups on
city boards, commissions and advisory committees.
I hope these are helpful... good luck!
KENTON