Kathleen Shaffer
05-27-2008, 04:58 PM
Greetings Wacco
I would like to add to the ongoing thread about the NSP. In the past month I have been visiting local business owners, community leaders and residents to ask about any issues and concerns they have with the city. While I have elicited negative responses about the Northeast Specific Plan, I do not feel that the majority of respondents are in complete opposition. Some business owers, while not happy about competition, are supportive of sustainable development. Residents are concerned about traffic levels. Traffic will increase with or without the plan. The current General Plan allows for more development than the NSP allows, which will mean more traffic.
While my information is anecdotal, my impression is most people value the Northeast Specific Plan. It is a guide which our City needs, it is not a project.
Sebastopol lost about 18 residents last year. While this is not a great amount, this is not a positive trend for our city. We need revitalization in our downtown core - a business district which will link the old and the new, more affordable housing and a new postive vision for Sebastopol which our progressive citizens can provide.
BTW - please don't denigrate coffee shops - some great political movements have started in them!
Kathleen Shaffer
Candidate for Sebastopol City Council
I would like to add to the ongoing thread about the NSP. In the past month I have been visiting local business owners, community leaders and residents to ask about any issues and concerns they have with the city. While I have elicited negative responses about the Northeast Specific Plan, I do not feel that the majority of respondents are in complete opposition. Some business owers, while not happy about competition, are supportive of sustainable development. Residents are concerned about traffic levels. Traffic will increase with or without the plan. The current General Plan allows for more development than the NSP allows, which will mean more traffic.
While my information is anecdotal, my impression is most people value the Northeast Specific Plan. It is a guide which our City needs, it is not a project.
Sebastopol lost about 18 residents last year. While this is not a great amount, this is not a positive trend for our city. We need revitalization in our downtown core - a business district which will link the old and the new, more affordable housing and a new postive vision for Sebastopol which our progressive citizens can provide.
BTW - please don't denigrate coffee shops - some great political movements have started in them!
Kathleen Shaffer
Candidate for Sebastopol City Council