Council votes to lower growth rate

“If you think having a growth management program is hard on people’s property values,” said Mayor Joanne Sanders when it came her turn to offer an opinion on legislation to lower the growth rate, “try telling them we don’t have any water.”
The issue was whether to lower the rate of growth from 88 units per year to 65 units per year. Two members of the public expressed opinions, both contrary. Sam Digiacomo said, “I’d like to see [the legislation] be thrown out altogether. If you claim to be an affordable housing advocate, you can’t vote for this legislation.” Bill Willers said, “I believe the growth management ordinance has its place, but it’s the wrong device to control the development that you want to bring forward in this community. It’s like taking a sledge hammer to open an egg. All it does is further restrict and further delay the inevitable.”
Council member Stanley Cohen agreed. “I can’t support it in any way. It doesn’t make any sense.” But the overall discussion favored limiting growth in the interests of a sustainable water supply. Council member August Sebastiani said, “If the City continues to deplete the groundwater, what happens to the people who use that groundwater for their homes?” Council member Steve Barbose said, “All this water we’re having won’t help when it comes in April. I think if we’re going to ask people to cut down water usage, they’re going to ask us why haven’t we done something to slow down development.” Mayor Sanders concluded, “We cannot allow growth to occur without being able to guarantee we’re going to be able to deliver the water.”
The vote carried, with only council member Cohen opposed.