Density - Spring 2014

There has been much community discussion regarding increasing residential density in the downtown. Some believe that increased density will negatively impact our quality of life.  Others believe increased density is positive and supports the urban environment by providing a diverse housing base that supports mass transit, restaurants, retail and entertainment that otherwise would not be available.  While some properties are physically accepting of significant increased density without adjusting any other conditions such as height; not all properties are candidates for more units.  Often the property shape, parking, step-backs, primary street conditions etc. renders increased density as impractical.  It is also important to know that increased density is not a silver bullet for solving the “affordable” housing dilemma.  Increased density can offer our community the opportunity to create a more active and vital urban area with a wider range of housing options, better mass transit and new retail and entertainment opportunities, and concentrating population in urban areas relieves stress on all infrastructure and eases the strain on suburban and rural areas.