What is reasonable growth?
The City of Longmont is in the midst of explosive growth in construction of multifamily apartments. The consequence of this massive number of new rental units is more traffic congestion and diminished quality of life for everyone.
One of the factors that irritates everyone is the lack of clear policy on how the design, density and connectivity of the newly built housing is compatible with the adjacent established neighborhoods.
Do these developments pay their own way?
There can be too much of a “good thing”. It is a good thing to have new types of housing built to respond to the needs of our city. We need many different kinds of housing at many price points to rent and to own.
It is not good for everything to look the same.
Sarah stands with our established neighborhoods to have their voices heard when property is developed or redeveloped nearby.
As a former neighborhood leader of the Historic Eastside neighborhood, Sarah understands how much better infill development can be if current residents not only have a voice but are listened to in the development process.
Sarah believes that our residents should have a bigger voice in the update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. If elected, she will propose innovative approaches to engage in the conversation about how we will be built in the city in the next decade.
If elected, Sarah will advocate for policy changes in the city’s code and the Comprehensive Plan to enhance residents’ voices in the development process, improve compatibility standards, transportation impact information and preserve our visual corridors.
What is measured growth?
Longmont had experienced high growth from 1999 to 2008 (the Great Recession). At one point, there were so many applications that the planning department and Planning and Zoning commission implemented a moratorium on new applications until current projects were approved.
Sarah believes we need to look at doing this again.
Longmont needs a better plan to insure the city grows with development paying its own way.
When the city revisits the Comprehensive Plan and updates it, we need to have policies supporting a slower pace of development. Our infrastructure – roads, water, sewer and other city services need to match the demands of development. The city needs to have opportunities for new housing, retail, business, recreation and parks decades into the future. This is not possible if we build out in the next couple of years.
If elected, Sarah will advocate for policy that will ensure a slower pace of development.
Elect a Leader who Listens
