Growth. It's a four-letter word to some folks.
OK, it's actually a six-letter word, but you get my meaning.
At last Wednesday's Cheney Free Press Candidates Forum I borrowed a letter to the editor for some questions of our City Council and mayoral candidates about growth. I only mentioned the writer's feelings that Cheney's growth is too much, out of control and damaging to the small-town, family character of the city.
If I paraphrased incorrectly I apologize, but the author did state that this growth was turning Cheney into a West Plains version of Liberty Lake or Spokane Valley, and that was not a good thing.
You'll have to read our forum recap to find out how candidates responded to the questions, but the debate got me thinking about why people choose to live where they do.
I'm speaking about why someone who works in Spokane or elsewhere chooses to live in Cheney or Medical Lake and commute each day. Affordable and available housing is one reason. A good school system is another reason, if they have children or are in the market for such in the near future.
But one reason that transcends all demographics is that people want to live somewhere they believe is safe, peaceful and inviting. People want to belong and be protected.
And it's people that create that environment. People creating good neighborhoods through taking care of their homes and yards, establishing friendships by talking over their fences, smiling greetings as they take an evening stroll, giving up two cups of sugar when only one is asked for.
The work of people is what creates neighborhood character, and in turn, creates a city. If that work is good, what's created is good, generally.
Developers notice this, and build accordingly. If they have residential land, they're going to develop housing that fits the market and the character of nearby neighborhoods. It may not look the same as older homes, but if it's zoned a certain way it's generally developed to suit.
Commercial developers tailor their land or structures to accommodate businesses that feel they have something to provide to the nearby clientele. They may fill gaps, or they may just offer more choices.
Cheney is growing because its residents have made it a desirable place to live. To be sure, Cheney has some unique influences on how it grows, such as Eastern Washington University, directly and indirectly. A university town means apartments and businesses like fast food restaurants and hair salons.
Cheney is growing northward because that's where the available land is for growth, which again is residential. It's been doing that for years, long before Avalon Place, the Orchards or Golden Hills.
It will continue to do so. That's where the land is.
There are steps the city takes to control growth. Park impact fees, consistent zoning, code enforcement and other measures place restrictions on some things while encouraging others.
But as long as a developer's project is in compliance with the codes, the city can't really say no, we don't want it or need it. I'm no lawyer, and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express lately, but that would seem to me to be an illegal taking of land.
Growth is going to take place, it always has. I'm sure 50 years ago there were people who didn't like the way Cheney was growing, and pined for less crowded days, days when you didn't have to watch for traffic downtown but rather watch where you stepped.
If you don't like Cheney's growth, well, perhaps you should look in the mirror because your manicured yard/nicely painted house probably helped contribute to it. But you can't simply put a roadblock on SR-904 and say none shall pass. In fact, restricting growth can have its detriments, one being a reduction in services provided by a large, prosperous tax base.
Growth can be good, if it's controlled. That requires vision, and vision comes only from the people who know how they want their homes, sidewalks, streets, trees, lawns and storefronts to look – and want to be part of the process in saying so.
And that process doesn't have to include four letter words.
Reader Comments(0)