Other Voices: Smart growth, conservation are the only ways to survive

In 1990, I was one of many citizen volunteers to rewrite the Nevada County General Plan. This was a massive project, with committee work spread over two years and final adoption of the plan, still in force, in 1995. I had recently, together with several other members of the Nevada County League of Women Voters, completed a land-use study and gone through the process of building a home here - hence, my interest in and qualifications for the Land Use Committee in the rewriting process. It was during that time I learned the principles of what is called "smart growth," which envisions mixed-use communities (homes and apartments, businesses, offices, perhaps even some light industrial) and pedestrian friendly streets (narrow and with sidewalks). People can walk, bike or take public transit to work, school, church, the library and businesses to fulfill their needs and desires.

Read more