Empire Control Room & Garage
Austinites Prevent Smart Growth, Not Facilitate It
RECEIVED Thu., May 17, 2007
Dear Editor,
One key factor in Seattle's process is that it requires increased density [“Developing Stories,” News, May 18]. The mistake made with Austin's neighborhood planning process was the assumption that central Austinites were actually the progressives and environmentalists they claimed to be. The NP process forced them to put up or shut up and show their true colors. With only a few exceptions, they (or at least those dominating the process) showed themselves to be pro-sprawl NIMBYs, and we ended up with most NPs being used to prevent Smart Growth, not facilitate it, and to encourage sprawl, not limit it.
One key factor in Seattle's process is that it requires increased density [“Developing Stories,” News, May 18]. The mistake made with Austin's neighborhood planning process was the assumption that central Austinites were actually the progressives and environmentalists they claimed to be. The NP process forced them to put up or shut up and show their true colors. With only a few exceptions, they (or at least those dominating the process) showed themselves to be pro-sprawl NIMBYs, and we ended up with most NPs being used to prevent Smart Growth, not facilitate it, and to encourage sprawl, not limit it.
Chris Cosart
