Heritage Development

In a stunning reversal Wednesday Night, the Cedar City Council went against it city manager's recommendation and approved the Heritage Development.  The Heritage Development is a large development on the west side of the city.  It is a self contained community with shopping and recreation planned into the development.

The best part of the project(to me) is that the developer Goodboro Development, is planning affordable housing.  They are mixing home sizes.  They are putting smaller starter homes on the same street with large more custom sized homes.  They have planned schools, shopping and parks all within the community.  I know that they have done the same kind of thing in other parts of the Unites States.

The design of the project is that of what we call here Pioneer homes.  They are styled after the homes that were built by the early settlers of the area in the 1850's.  They have large porches and lots of shade.  I am excited about the development, and other than maybe taking a buyer to purchase, I have nothing to do with the project. 

The big argument with the city manager seemed to be a personality conflict, wrapped into an argument over street width and alignment.  It had become pretty ugly, with lawsuits being threatened on either side, gratefully, none of that will be necessary.  I think that sometimes, city officials, (here especially) begin to believe that they and their opinion is what is best for the city and it's residents.  Regardless of public sentiment, this is a great project allowing the one thing that we so desperately need, affordable housing in nice neighborhoods. 

It isn't that we have really bad neighborhoods, it is more that most of the affordable areas, are in older areas.  It will be exciting to have people that need affordable housing be able to buy a new house, not a twin home or a town home but a house with a private yard in a highly desirable area.  It also seems that the idea of blending income levels in neighborhoods, will create a sense of community that some of us have never experienced.  My mother and father were both raised in small towns, where everyone knew and played with everyone when they were kids.  Everyone, regardless of social status knew each other and for the most part, were friends.  There didn't seem to be a separation that we see today.  I congradulate the Cedar City Council for doing the right thing and not following the party line of the city manager.