New to California
Mixed-use, or as our denser city neighbors in L.A. are calling it, Smart Growth, is a new concept untried on the West Coast. It was first signed into law in Los Angeles County in 2002.
While mixed-use is nothing new to the Old World cities on the East Coast, mixed-use is an untried experiment in cities that have grown up alongside the widespread use of automobiles.
Why Our Town Should Pass
Mixed-use, as it’s being applied in Los Angeles, relies on mass transit to alleviate traffic congestion.
But in Culver City our infrastructure is too weak to handle this kind of mixed-use. The rail line has been postponed by state budget problems, and its future is still uncertain.
Learning a Lesson
Culver City has already rated an F for traffic. We don’t need additional problems to mitigate.
I think future development should use the Old Town renaissance as its model.
Emphasis should be placed on unique local businesses, sufficient parking, green spaces and guidelines that are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods.
The Argument for Patience
I think we should wait to see how mixed-use ordinances affect the rest of Los Angeles County to see if mixed-use will be this century’s strip mall.
