Directing development in general, and density in particular, to downtown is not some new scenario that just came up. It’s been the city’s explicit development strategy for over 25 years and has been continuously cultivated and fine-tuned throughout that time as new lessons, challenges and opportunities have presented themselves.

This latest dust-up reflects last December’s updates to our zoning code, which were developed by a citizen task force working just short of a year and representing all facets of the community (business, government, neighborhoods, downtown residents, etc.). A resident of 335 was among the task force members.

None of this is to say that our current regulations and growth plans give everyone what they want or that there won’t be modifications in the future. Only that the suggestion that there has been any sort of rush, or that what’s happening with 315 represents some new, unforeseen threat, is patently false. For better or for worse (depending on where you sit), the development happening now has not sprung up arbitrarily or surprisingly, but as the result of over 25 years of community conversation and tireless work on the part of our leaders, city staff, business community and participating residents. Those contributions should not be discounted as though they never happened.

I was referring to your general refusal to engage in any meaningful conversation about the cons of development. I am not in favor on your approach of densing up and figuring out the mess we have created for ourselves later. Let’s do it right the first time.