A bevy of Bay Area planning agencies have joined together for a series of interactive public workshops all over the Bay Area this month and next.
Using a web-based simulation tool workshop participants can consider different transit, land use and other policy choices for their region and see the implications. Participants will also be able to and voice their opinions and give direct feedback to the agencies.
The events are being sponsored by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in conjunction with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and a group of nonprofits.
But why wait for a workshop? Check out the YouChoose tool here
Register for an event and make your voice heard here
Read more about the comprehensive regional planning process and the “One Bay Area” kick-off report here
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Zero Resource 
Bravo for long-term planning, but don’t let the ink dry on those buy-sell agreements just yet.
A few key points to consider:
– According to their website, in 2010 SVCF granted roughly $75,000 each to 16 organizations that advocate for building more housing, and for groups that go to public meetings to advocate for more residential construction.
– According to California law S.B. 375, Bay Area cities are forced to join this transit-based development effort in order to qualify for billions in Federal and regional transportation funding.
– Transit-based development, as defined by S.B. 375, provides a loophole used by real estate developers to avoid compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
– We have 10 percent unemployment and a glut of vacant housing in the Bay Area. Building 900,000 more units and increasing the population by 33 percent will only increase job competition, strain resources and add congestion, while the few profit.
– The groups behind this development effort say we have a choice, but they present the most important choice as a simple assertion: Bay Area population will grow by 2.2 million people by 2035. Our roads, downtowns, parks, transit resources will all be more crowded.
– And reducing our carbon emissions consistent with California law will be a pipe dream. Emissions will rise in direct proportion to our population increase. It’s that simple.
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