A Pioneer in “Smart Growth” Becomes a Pioneer in No Growth
Alex Adrianson /
April 30 was the last day for the planning department of Petaluma, Calif. The city decided to axe the department after it became clear that development activity was not generating sufficient revenue to cover the department’s expenses. As of March, the department was running a deficit of $280,000 for the fiscal year, which ends in June. Too few developers were applying for building permits or otherwise making use of the department’s fee-generating services.
In 1972, Petaluma became the first city in the country to attempt to control growth through limiting the number of building permits issued each year. The city also established an urban-growth boundary. These and other planning devices eventually became known as “smart growth” and were subsequently adopted by many other cities around the country. In 1975, the city successfully defended its growth-control legislation before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the developers’ appeal. (more…)