• Independent Media for Truckee • North Lake Tahoe
• Saturday, February 11, 2012

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Time to Rethink Growth

Letter to the Editor

Thanks to Beth Ingalls for shining a light on stalled development projects in our region. (“If You Build It, Will They Come?” December 10, 2009)

The impacts development decisions have on a community cannot be underestimated. What types of housing are available, what schools our children attend, the taxes we pay, our daily commutes, the quality of our water, economic growth, the availability of parks, recreational opportunities, public art, and opportunities to enjoy nature are all impacted by how we choose to grow.

With the economic downturn, it is time for Truckee to rethink its growth and development future.

Going into 2010, developers are requesting approval for over 500 new homes and thousands of square feet for new commercial development in Truckee alone. While these projects (Planned Community 1 near Donner Lake, Planned Community 3 at the corner of Brockway Road and Highway 267, and possibly Canyon Springs east of Glenshire) will not be built for years, planning decisions on are being made now. These requests come at a time when Truckee already has a glut of approved, but not yet built residential, commercial, and industrial development.

Do we really need to expand development into the periphery of our community with projects like PC-3 and Canyon Springs, or should we be focusing on transferring development rights into Truckee’s downtown core with projects like the Railyard and trying to make use of buildings and infrastructure already in place but sitting vacant?

Mountain Area Preservation Fund encourages Truckee residents to learn more about growth and development issues and to become part of the conversation.

As an organization, MAPF has relied on smart growth principles to help guide our efforts to create balance between accommodating new growth and protecting the mountains, streams, and vistas that enrich our lives and sustain our tourism economy.

To learn more about smart growth, visit mapf.org.

~ Kaitlin Backlund, MAPF Executive Director