33 pages after calling for a growing and inclusive city, DC's Comprehensive Plan muddies that vision
Eugene isn't the only city working on updating its Comprehensive Plan. On the other side of the country, Washington, DC is facing some of the same challenges. The DC group Greater Greater Washington has started a "book-club" to review their plan, and have found some of the same challenges that have plagued Envision Eugene-- namely, that contradictory language that muddies the water of what the plan actually means (similar to Envision Eugene's "promote compact urban development" and "protectneighborhoods" pillars.)
“Corey Holman noticed that many of these statements use “near antonyms,” like “Maintaining and enhancing the mix of housing types” (Principle #3) or “ensure that neighborhood character is preserved and enhanced” (Principle #8). He wrote, “How can something be maintained or preserved while also being enhanced? It’s that wishy-washy language that allows people to see what they want in this document, instead of laying out a clear vision.
”It’s saying, ‘we need growth in commercial corridors—but “stable” (which seems like code for “affluent single-family homeowner”) neighborhoods should not be touched,’” said David Alpert. Or, “Growth should be inclusive, but don’t worry, people in exclusive areas—we don’t mean YOU have to be inclusive.” ”