Responsible Planning

By Carol Dean

Look at the city as whole - natural resources, infrastructure, good planning policies, diversity

Santa Rosa has been blessed with a diverse economic base which will see us through cycles of prosperity and slowdowns. In the past Santa Rosa practiced deferred maintenance regardless of the economy which is coming back to haunt us. To keep Santa Rosa designed for living we must address past infastructure failures - traffic patterns, signals, pot holes, parking, etc. Our street system contributes to our economic base as well as to our quality life.

The Main Street program is looking at revitalizing the downtown and linking the east and west business districts. In the downtown core area ONLY, I believe in granting unlimited building permits which will boost this effort. All new multi use buildings must have separate metering systems to encourage conservation efforts. Mixed use development should be encouraged throughout the city.

Responsible planning looks at the need for services required by the residents to keep travel to a minimum. This includes grocery stores, banks and other day to day services, bicycle paths, neighborhood parks.

While good planning is a land use issue that comes before the Planning Commission on a routine basis, it is the Council's role to give direction to see that good, intelligent planning is promoted and practiced.