Zoning Density and Seize the Future Plan

* Re “Sustainability Council,” Ventura County letters, Sept. 12.

I believe Kathy Heiberg’s characterization of the Sustainability Council as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” is not so much because it advocates higher density zoning for the city of Ventura but because it won’t do so in plain open language. How can the public make informed decisions in response to the Seize the Future vision plan when the editors artfully changed the calls for higher density and rezoning in the first plan drafts to modify zoning and appropriate densities in the present plan draft?

As this letter from Bob Chianese demonstrates, higher density zoning is what the Seize the Future committee had in mind. Just say it. Then the public can give you informed feedback at the FutureFest sequel at Arroyo Verde Park on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mr. Chianese’s argument that higher density communities would allow kids to walk the neighborhood without fear of crime or heavy car traffic is exactly the opposite of my experience. It is the smaller, predominantly low-density communities where people know, talk to and watch out for their neighbors and their neighbors’ children.

Ms. Heiberg knows that Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) measures will not stop all development. What she is advocating is slow, careful growth. She knows that just rezoning for higher density will not make us sustainable.

I think much of the vision plan is good. Nevertheless, I have to agree with Ms. Heiberg. How are people going to make informed decisions when the editors of the Seize the Future vision draft have buried the true intent? Let the public openly and honestly discuss whether this rezoning for higher densities is the direction they want for their city.

I personally think it would be dangerous to adopt this plan because it is too broadly worded and subject to the whim of interpretation.

DIANE UNDERHILL

Ventura