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What's Smart Growth all about?

In recent years, at the ballot box and through a citywide visioning process, Ventura residents have made clear they want a well-planned approach to managing growth. They don't want continued suburban sprawl paving over farmland and sensitive hillside areas. Instead, we want to vacant or run-down properties be improved with high quality "infill" to provide new jobs, new homes and new stores and services. That's called "Smart Growth" and it is the basis for Ventura's new General Plan Update.

What is Smart Growth?

Smart Growth is an urban planning and transportation theory that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban sprawl; and advocates compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly land use, including mixed-use development. Its goals are to achieve a unique sense of community and place; expand the range of transportation, employment and housing choices; preserve and enhance natural and cultural resources; and promote public health.

What are the benefits of Smart Growth?

The benefits of Smart Growth are as follows:

Stop sprawl and preserve our hillsides, agriculture and open space by directing growth into areas that are already developed such as downtown;
Emphasize high quality urban design and architecture;
Preserve our historic buildings and character;
Encourage new investment in older areas of town;
Provide for a variety of transportation choices;
Create more affordable housing and a variety of housing choices;
Create walkable neighborhoods; and
Make development predictable and the rules transparent.

Smart Growth is about managing growth to improve our quality of life and standard of living.

Ventura residents don't want uncontrolled growth and suburban sprawl. They also don't want traffic gridlock, more "cookie cutter" houses or housing prices that make Ventura unaffordable for working families. By targeting new development to areas that would benefit from reinvestment - and by respecting our historic character and sense of place -- smart growth is a better alternative.

It's about creating a well-planned community

Smart Growth emphasizes reusing existing buildings and land, revitalizing our historic downtown and neighborhoods, and protecting the environment for future generations. Smart Growth channels new businesses and homes into appropriate areas. It also provides options for public transportation, creates neighborhoods where homes are in walking distance of local services and ensures green space for public use.

It's about a unique "sense of place"

Smart growth builds on our pride in Ventura's history and natural setting. Instead of new development that looks like everywhere else, it promotes interesting, unique neighborhoods and districts, which reflect our values and heritage.

How can I arrange for a Smart Growth speaker for my civic group or neighborhood organization?

Call 805-654-7731 or email kflanders@cityofventura.net to request a speaker about "Get Smart About Ventura's General Plan" for your civic group, neighborhood organization or PTA.

Where can I find out about planning efforts in my neighborhood?

City of Ventura eNews: Achieving Our Vision

If you would like to receive Achieving Our Vision via email, please click here.
Current and past issues of Achieving Our Vision can be found online at http://www.cityofventura.net/enews/smartgrowth.