Idaho Adventure
Submitted by Monica Mattinson on Thu, 2016-07-14 00:00
I am really enjoying reading the different perspectives from all the blogs and comments. I am also totally jealous I am not on the adventure. One thing I was thinking about yesterday as I sat in traffic is the human environment interaction that Boise is definitely going to need to deal with. I hate seeing houses built on the Greenbelt and in the Foothills. Also, the homeless population that is living on or near the river (trust me). How are we going to continue to be an outdoor town when traffic is so bad it is almost crazy to be anywhere but the Greenbelt.
Comments
Same thoughts
Yesterday I rode from eagle to downtown and for a weekday the amount of people I encountered was insane. The greenbelt is fantastic for getting out and for using as an alternative to driving but I do see the infringement that you're talking about.
What is going to be interesting is how policy makers intend to allot storage space for the expanding area. I mean, expansion is going to continue not only near the noise river, but also out into the steppe where water is scarce. How are we going to account for an additional quarter million more people in the next 20-30 years?
Balance
As I read the different blog entries I have come to the conclusion that the one thing we need is balance. It's a simple thing. Balance between those that want to populate the foothills with huge homes and those that want to keep the foothills open to all of us who like to hike in them. Balance between those who want to build the mcmansions on the river and those of us who want to keep the riverbank open to wildlife. Balance between those of us that would like to see Boise remain the town we have known and those that would like to see Boise grow into an area that has lost control.
I guess it isn't so simple. Growth in Boise and the surrounding area is going to happen. We can't and really should not want to stop it. With growth we see advancements that are beneficial to us and our environment. My hats off to the people who fight to keep the foothills open. Without them and their fight we might have lost these natural resources to new homes, but these people came with the growth that Boise has seen.
Balance is a funny thing...it's based on perspective and what is important to us. My challenge to everyone who comes into our community is to look at what is here and ask yourself what brought you here. Do you really want to change what's here or is it really fine the way it is. To many of us, this is home and we find it just fine as it is.
growth and planning
I feel is is very important that careful thought go into planning new communities in boise. They need to look at. To big over all impact to the city not just in one given area. I watch as our foothills are being developed (but where else can boise grow). The greenbelt development where bikes are ban, crazy. We could learn from the ideas used to develop sun valley and the surrounding areas. I know there is a ton of $$ there but they have incredible ideas that are are a win win for all.