Dear Editor: There’s been a lot of talk about new housing in Madison lately, and there are lots of unhappy people. We fear change and can’t stop growth, yet need to plan for both so that Madison remains a good place to live now and in the future.
We forget that Madison has been growing and changing for more than 150 years. There’s never been a status quo. We grew thoughtlessly for a long time, as if America’s land were limitless. But unfortunately, space for development has become scarce. Unfettered sprawl into the countryside is unsustainable, as are houses on large lots with scenic views. We must accept the need for growth and change.
The best solution seems to me to be higher, denser multiunit housing that meets the needs and preferences of an increasingly diverse population, while maintaining our parks, trees and greenspace amenities — which also serve vital environmental functions such as mitigating flooding…