Editor:
Following up on Bill Bauer's column on the inevitability of change in downtown ("Like it or not, change is coming," My Write, Aug. 5).
I firmly believe the majority of the Santa Monica community, whether young or old, understands the inevitability of change, while also understanding development can and should be done in a responsible way; responsible development that includes open space, walkable streets and better building design. Development that retains the beachfront, human scale of Santa Monica while also providing for growth to remain an economically vibrant city.
There are simple alternative approaches to planning staff's bifurcating and piecemealing the planning process and choosing to focus only on increased height and density. Don't let outside developers hijack the process. Greed is not synonymous with quality of life, either environmentally or economically.
Ron Goldman
Santa Monica
