Define what progress is

Dear Editor: A friend went down to the farmer's market and gave their opinion against the high-density construction and traffic concerns to the planning department representatives.

They were told by the young spokesperson at the planning department: “It’s progress, get used to it.”

Perhaps the young people in the planning department are misunderstanding the meaning of “progress.”

Progress should not be measured by how many people you can pack into a small space. Progress should be measured by the happiness, health, and beauty of the community.

The standards required on new developments are slipping. We are seeing more and more Plain Jane, high density, low quality boxes sitting on pavement. There is no reason why new developments cannot add beauty and value to communities around the city.

The new Official Community Plan should include more serious regulations on:

1. Architectural value and interest.

2. Good setback from roadways and other buildings.

3. Lovely landscaping, adequate trees and green spaces within every development to cool the environment (a bush in gravel is not adequate landscaping)

4. Don’t allow the blocking of existing views. Everyone should have a view of our lovely hills, not a view of towers.

5. No more than 4 storeys for condo buildings, more emphasis on family housing (townhomes, duplex, in-fills with adequate spacing).

6. Encouragement of sustainable