Comments on: “Locals” Continue Attack on S.B. 375 “Sprawl Bill” http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/05/28/locals-continue-attack-on-sb-375-sprawl-bill/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:27:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Justin N http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/05/28/locals-continue-attack-on-sb-375-sprawl-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-90791 Justin N Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:31:23 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2193#comment-90791 For the record- the area pictured is *not* Riverside. That would be Rubidoux, CA, just over the river. The picture was taken looking west from Mt. Rubidoux City Park. The actual city of Riverside does have its sprawling bits, especially on the southwest part of the city, but it is one of the more progressive cities in the Inland Empire, and our Mayor has been pushing for more sensible land use policies for a while. If this picture was taken looking east, it would not find sprawl, but a dense urban core surrounded by small-lot homes, and some of the only mixed-use development in the county beyond that. For the record- the area pictured is *not* Riverside. That would be Rubidoux, CA, just over the river. The picture was taken looking west from Mt. Rubidoux City Park.
The actual city of Riverside does have its sprawling bits, especially on the southwest part of the city, but it is one of the more progressive cities in the Inland Empire, and our Mayor has been pushing for more sensible land use policies for a while. If this picture was taken looking east, it would not find sprawl, but a dense urban core surrounded by small-lot homes, and some of the only mixed-use development in the county beyond that.

]]> By: Dan Wentzel http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/05/28/locals-continue-attack-on-sb-375-sprawl-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-5960 Dan Wentzel Thu, 28 May 2009 21:35:53 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2193#comment-5960 Interesting idea, John. We need a government overhaul from top to bottom. On one hand, it is ridiculous to have a state of this size with only 80 Assemblymembers, a county of this size with only 5 Supervisors and a city of this size with only 15 City Councilmembers and a deliberately weak neighborhood council system. However, since voters have so far been unwilling to increase the size of these governing bodies, I think there is precious little chance they'd approve a layer in between City and County government. I remember Willie Brown had an idea of regional authorities years ago, but the idea went nowhere. The Bay Area would bet he ideal place for such an authority to be tried. But, getting a functional state government again is probably the first priority. Interesting idea, John. We need a government overhaul from top to bottom.

On one hand, it is ridiculous to have a state of this size with only 80 Assemblymembers, a county of this size with only 5 Supervisors and a city of this size with only 15 City Councilmembers and a deliberately weak neighborhood council system.

However, since voters have so far been unwilling to increase the size of these governing bodies, I think there is precious little chance they'd approve a layer in between City and County government.

I remember Willie Brown had an idea of regional authorities years ago, but the idea went nowhere. The Bay Area would bet he ideal place for such an authority to be tried.

But, getting a functional state government again is probably the first priority.

]]> By: John von Kerczek http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/05/28/locals-continue-attack-on-sb-375-sprawl-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-5955 John von Kerczek Thu, 28 May 2009 19:14:34 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2193#comment-5955 I think an elected regional government with real authority is a vital component in enforcing something like 375. Without it, the component regional parts like San Bernadino will inevitably defend what they view as their own interests. As it stands, I can't imagine SCAG currently has the level of authority over the region to enforce these requirements. I think the long term strategy requires building coalitions and public support for a truly regional government like Portland's with enough power to enforce regional planning goals like what 375 calls for. Slightly OT, but I wonder if this might be an opening for the kind of coalition-building I'm thinking of: "Towns Rethink Self-Reliance as Finances Worsen" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124337975286456249.html I think an elected regional government with real authority is a vital component in enforcing something like 375. Without it, the component regional parts like San Bernadino will inevitably defend what they view as their own interests. As it stands, I can't imagine SCAG currently has the level of authority over the region to enforce these requirements. I think the long term strategy requires building coalitions and public support for a truly regional government like Portland's with enough power to enforce regional planning goals like what 375 calls for.

Slightly OT, but I wonder if this might be an opening for the kind of coalition-building I'm thinking of:

"Towns Rethink Self-Reliance as Finances Worsen"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124337975286456249.html

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