Some of you have heard my observation that our Town is working for developers rather than for those of us who live here.
While some may take exception, there is some truth to it as the Town is lawfully mandated to process development applications and to perform our due diligence in determining that applications meet our standards and that we have the means to provide for the necessary infrastructure.
What my statement pointed to is the notion that the Town need not be subject to the mandates of the developer in placing the decision of when and how development will occur and more importantly, the amount, type and quality of the development as proposed. I mean to say our Town needs to be more thoughtful and deliberative in approving projects that will add more people, more land and more responsibilities to our Town.
Why? Do you believe our Earth is becoming warmer? Do you think the Earth’s warming has any relationship to weather change and much more close to home, our recent calamity? Is there a connection in the human footprint, as in the ever increasing human population and exploitation of our natural resources, to global warming?
I am afraid I have changed. My optimism is guarded. When I hear the mantras of “Build Baby Build,” or “Growth is Inevitable” I have to ask myself how much thought has gone into these concepts. I would like to see growth in the appropriate places with appropriate timing. I can foresee that in five to 10 future generations if we succumb to the inevitable, Earth’s inhabitants, our future generations, will be faced with the unenviable task of planning the cleanup of our mess.
It is time for decisions to be made regarding the growth of Windsor. What say you to the 58-acre vineyard conversion proposed by the Jensen Lane annexation? Is it “Build Baby Build” or do we consider the value of prime agricultural lands and open space and decline to “inevitable” sprawl towards our eastern hills? Can we make decisions to develop in areas that are in need of infrastructure improvements such as the Old Redwood Highway corridor rather than develop those areas at the edges of Town that will only add to our infrastructure needs, such as traffic and fire protection?
What say you to the current Windsor Mill development application that ignores our zoning code and seems to be demanding another 360 apartments be added to the currently approved 360 apartments in the Bell Village/ Oliver’s Market project? Historically, home ownership is sort of what Windsor is about. We need apartments but are they necessarily exclusive? Can we state unequivocally that the Neighborhood Residential zoning within the Mill project means single family homes not multi family apartments, whether they are rental or for sale. Do we require the project meet our zoning requirements as planned?
The list can go on and it won’t always be the need to oppose or be critical of development. There are and will be those times that we will be called upon to support projects that are appropriate and right where opposition exists that we may disagree with. Heaven forbid that is how it is in this case.
Sam Salmon is a member of the Windsor Town Council.
