Chair Riley emphasizes infrastructure and proactive planning
He notes housing cannot be isolated; needs jobs, transit, open space, schools. Data shows city-led rezonings produced three times more housing than private applications.
So far in the press and at events, we've heard more about the efforts to fast-track developer applications than we've heard about the planning needed to support new housing.
Housing cannot be thought of just in isolation.
Successful housing is supported by access to jobs, transportation, open space, schools, libraries, grocery stores, and other needed physical infrastructure.
The data shows that from 2010 to 2020, city-led neighborhood rezonings were responsible for nearly three times more new housing units than private development applications.
This council, with leadership from Speaker Mendes and myself, has been loud and clear about the benefits of proactive planning,
engaging with communities on the ground, and doing the hard work of understanding their needs and identifying their investments to support good growth and quality development.