Comments on: High Density Developments in the Bay Area http://www.1siliconvalley.com/high-density-developments-in-the-bay-area/ your consumer guide to the sf bay area real estate market Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:08:50 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Laura Beth DeHority http://www.1siliconvalley.com/high-density-developments-in-the-bay-area/comment-page-1/#comment-599 Laura Beth DeHority Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:01:05 +0000 http://www.1siliconvalley.com/high-density-developments-in-the-bay-area/#comment-599 Kudos to Sara for another informative article written from the perspective of someone who truly lives the experience! I have just returned from a visit to Norfolk, VA which struggled for many years to re-invent itself. The town was "slapped up" during World War II when it became a major port for the European War effort and then left to die slowly. By the time my family left in the early 80s, it was a slum with a few pockets of prosperity. It is so great to return 20 years later and see how things work when people work together. Great housing, entertainment, shopping, education, restaurants and a couple of beautiful minor league sport venues. All because the residents were active with their voices and their ideas and the local government listened or were replaced. Be informed and be heard! Kudos to Sara for another informative article written from the perspective of someone who truly lives the experience!

I have just returned from a visit to Norfolk, VA which struggled for many years to re-invent itself. The town was “slapped up” during World War II when it became a major port for the European War effort and then left to die slowly. By the time my family left in the early 80s, it was a slum with a few pockets of prosperity.

It is so great to return 20 years later and see how things work when people work together. Great housing, entertainment, shopping, education, restaurants and a couple of beautiful minor league sport venues. All because the residents were active with their voices and their ideas and the local government listened or were replaced.

Be informed and be heard!

]]> By: Steve Leung http://www.1siliconvalley.com/high-density-developments-in-the-bay-area/comment-page-1/#comment-595 Steve Leung Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:10:18 +0000 http://www.1siliconvalley.com/high-density-developments-in-the-bay-area/#comment-595 Hi Sara, You touch on some important points. With higher gas prices and increasing productivity demands on individuals (not to mention family needs), the trends definitely point towards residences that are closer to stores and activities. Preferably walking distance. About two decades ago I lived in Houston, which has no zoning laws to speak of. One day you could be living in a nice and quiet neighborhood, and the next you have a skyscraper next door. That's not even a joke, it's happened. The amount of community participation local zoning boards here in Silicon Valley provide is astonishing in comparison. I've sat in on the meetings for Sunnyvale's Town Center and in local Cupertino hearings, and everyone gets their say. Many cities will actually let you watch on community television. For those people interested in being a part of their community decision-making process, it's eye-opening. Good job for encouraging people to empower themselves. Cheers, Steve Hi Sara,

You touch on some important points. With higher gas prices and increasing productivity demands on individuals (not to mention family needs), the trends definitely point towards residences that are closer to stores and activities. Preferably walking distance.

About two decades ago I lived in Houston, which has no zoning laws to speak of. One day you could be living in a nice and quiet neighborhood, and the next you have a skyscraper next door. That’s not even a joke, it’s happened.

The amount of community participation local zoning boards here in Silicon Valley provide is astonishing in comparison. I’ve sat in on the meetings for Sunnyvale’s Town Center and in local Cupertino hearings, and everyone gets their say. Many cities will actually let you watch on community television. For those people interested in being a part of their community decision-making process, it’s eye-opening. Good job for encouraging people to empower themselves.

Cheers,
Steve

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