The campaign in Napa County over a ballot measure that would impose a 1% growth limit may be a microcosm of the entire Bay Area.
On one side are slow-growth advocates with the usual arguments about density, traffic, greedy developers and untrustworthy politicians. On the other side are developers with promises for creating housing in a very nice setting within a few miles of tens of thousands of jobs. In between are local government officials, who may end up arm wrestling with lawyers over who should review the project.
You can read my summary of the ballot measure and the 3,200-unit redevelopment project the measure seeks to block in our May edition. This morning, San Francisco Chronicle urban design writer John King weighed in with these deep thoughts: "As our region grows more complex and interconnected, we need to rethink how we grow. And when inventive designers are put to work on something that could be enduringly distinct — for all classes of society, not just the upper crust — it's foolish to try to chase them away."
Meanwhile, the Napa Valley Register has recently published four thoughtful editorials on the situation, ultimately urging rejection of the initiative.
Still, urban growth is not popular in Napa County. This is definitely an election to watch.
- Paul Shigley
