29th Street Ballroom
Ditch the Doughnut Model
RECEIVED Mon., April 20, 2009
Dear Editor,
With this note I am going public with a sad request for the seemingly only appropriate name for the new city of Austin Comprehensive Plan: Outward Austin. This appears to be representational of the sentiment contained in many of the letters sent to City Council for its consideration of a most important vote this Thursday on the selection of a consultant. The City Council and its citizenry need to ask themselves if this doughnut-planning approach (which will be a first for a comprehensive plan, making it far less than comprehensive) really is appropriate planning for the future of Austin! Since the consultants are all geared to urban density and firmly believe in the concept, which they are being asked to ignore, can the consultant submit a minority report?
With this note I am going public with a sad request for the seemingly only appropriate name for the new city of Austin Comprehensive Plan: Outward Austin. This appears to be representational of the sentiment contained in many of the letters sent to City Council for its consideration of a most important vote this Thursday on the selection of a consultant. The City Council and its citizenry need to ask themselves if this doughnut-planning approach (which will be a first for a comprehensive plan, making it far less than comprehensive) really is appropriate planning for the future of Austin! Since the consultants are all geared to urban density and firmly believe in the concept, which they are being asked to ignore, can the consultant submit a minority report?
Ron Thrower