In any desirable town, some growth is inevitable. The only question is on whose terms it happens. Refusing to build doesn’t prevent growth—people still come. That causes unaffordable housing (through scarcity), an aging population/school closures (young families are outpriced), declining infrastructure (property taxes aren’t available for maintenance), and/or higher taxes. Davis is starting to see these effects. With good planning we can accommodate inevitable growth and maintain the qualities of Davis we cherish.

While infill/redevelopment can accommodate some housing, especially downtown, infill/refill shouldn’t be allowed to damage existing neighborhoods’ character. Further, not enough infill exists to meet our long-term needs. Other careful, well-planned development should be considered where it complements the rest of the city. Wherever it is, development should set the standard for environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and habitat preservation.

Hunt-Wesson should include a residential and commercial mix, with perhaps a Community Park complex expansion. Significant hurdles must first be addressed.

• It receives storm water from the south and the west (Northstar), with few drainage options.
• A small Covell entry provides limited auto and bicycle access, raising traffic and emergency concerns.
• It’s outside the five-minute fire response time, exacerbating limited access concerns.