Much like a cover crop (crimson clover) We are all over the roll out of Thrive 2050 which passed at the end of the Council Session in October '22
Thrive 2050, the update to the general plan meant to guide land use in the County for the coming decades, had its final vote at the Council at the end of October and was unanimously passed.
Thrive, through there were some efforts to address its problems in the weeks before the vote, remains flawed in a number of concerning ways.
Undergirding it is the view of densification as a panacea for all problems in all areas of the County, with no meaningful policy guard rails to ensure this new development is affordable for residents and beneficial for the county - be that economically, equitably or environmentally. Specifically, on water/forest/farmland protection, racial justice and more, we stand with the diverse coalition of civic groups who had been respectfully sharing concerns about both the Thrive plan and lack of transparency since the beginning - and providing compromise solutions for its improvement.
Both Thrive's supporters and its detractors have said that the plan is only a starting point - a beginning, not an end.
The real work of Thrive starts now as a new planning board and chair of unknown tenure and a mostly new and expanded Council take office (resignations and firings at Planning). There is both challenge and opportunity where these policies meet the road.
So now - we do as we always have… we dig in to press for transparency and public interest as the plan is rolled out. We are going to be all over this, like stormwater on pavement.
Thanks to your support we had a seat at the table to strongly suggest changes that would strengthen the plan. Your continued support will help us mitigate the roll out of Thrive as words on a page take shape on the landscape.
That is where it matters - with 20 years of advocacy and your continued support- that is where we will be.
Thrive, through there were some efforts to address its problems in the weeks before the vote, remains flawed in a number of concerning ways.
Undergirding it is the view of densification as a panacea for all problems in all areas of the County, with no meaningful policy guard rails to ensure this new development is affordable for residents and beneficial for the county - be that economically, equitably or environmentally. Specifically, on water/forest/farmland protection, racial justice and more, we stand with the diverse coalition of civic groups who had been respectfully sharing concerns about both the Thrive plan and lack of transparency since the beginning - and providing compromise solutions for its improvement.
Both Thrive's supporters and its detractors have said that the plan is only a starting point - a beginning, not an end.
The real work of Thrive starts now as a new planning board and chair of unknown tenure and a mostly new and expanded Council take office (resignations and firings at Planning). There is both challenge and opportunity where these policies meet the road.
So now - we do as we always have… we dig in to press for transparency and public interest as the plan is rolled out. We are going to be all over this, like stormwater on pavement.
Thanks to your support we had a seat at the table to strongly suggest changes that would strengthen the plan. Your continued support will help us mitigate the roll out of Thrive as words on a page take shape on the landscape.
That is where it matters - with 20 years of advocacy and your continued support- that is where we will be.
We would be honored by your tax deductible gift this giving season.
