In an effort to hear from the community, developers for the Scotts Valley Town Center project hosted an open house last weekend. The information flow was one-sided, however, because the developers did not disclose any requirements they may have in developing the project. Rather, according to the developers, the idea behind the event was to start a conversation with the community on their vision for the project.
Despite Santa Cruz County’s reputation as one of the least affordable places to live in the state, if not the country, real alarm has been expressed at recent Scotts Valley City Council meetings about the housing boom the city is facing in the not too distant future. Public comment at city council meetings has included emotional criticism and strong recommendations of caution- that the small town character of Scotts Valley is directly threatened by actual and proposed housing developments.
Residents of Scotts Valley know that there’s no finer place to raise a family and enjoy small town a sense of community that’s rarely found anywhere these days, all amidst soaring redwoods, next to stunning beaches and 45 minutes from the most dynamic economy in the world. The first job for any civic leader is to maintain this incredible quality of life that we enjoy, which I think can be done while making needed progress in several areas: