Here Comes a Thought...

How about finding a Developer who will build a Parking Structure, Take Out Family Meals, (Boston Market) and Other Slow Cooked Healthy Meals. Perhaps even Roof Top Child Care.

Where... Well in Highgrove at a desired Metrolink Station. We have seen Toll Roads used here and there. Why not have a Commercial Developer Build the Metro Link Station, and put services adjacent to the Commuter Traffic. I am thinking Dry Cleaning, Box Dinners, (Healthy Ones Please), Child Care. or??? You could Pre Order your Family meal and have it ready for pick up on the train schedule or have a Personal Shopper put your groceries in a Locker for Pickup on your way home.

Perhaps a building made with PV Solar Cells on the Roof and exterior walls could also generate some power in addition.

Perhaps even a fleet of Light Electric Vehicles and charging stations for monthly rental or rent to purchase.

Gee, this is looking to the future. Not the Elimination or any Frustrations caused Citizens by Zone Changes on property they own. Trying to limit the uses of the Ag Overlay Property is counter productive to a healthy and sustainable community. It is not forward looking, or inventive, and it may even be in violation with the State Codes that have been written to protect farming and agricultural use of land in California.

Just a thought...

From the Email InBox:


Some thoughts on your thoughts,

I agree that we don't need a row of fast food in GT. I would love to see a Boston Market or other quality food outlets come in. I also would like to see the LEV idea work, although I don't believe its practical. This is a commuter town so people need cars and I'm not sure that they would also be able to keep and maintain an LEV for local trips. I share your belief though, that people should make more of an effort to work nearer to where they live. Commuting damages families and deprives children of the quality time with parents that is necessary for a solid relationship.

A while back, I read a newspaper article which heralded a young commuter couple as "Road Warriors," and heroes. The article tracked their commute from loading their two toddlers in the car at 5:30 AM for daycare, commuting to Newport Beach, to picking the toddlers up from daycare at 6:00 PM. The couple crowed that they do it "for the kids," so they can have a bigger house and a better life in Redlands. That house isn't for the kids! Here's a news bulletin for them: "The kids just want time with mommy and daddy, not a bigger house."

This is accepted as life in Southern California, but I find it appalling. People like this couple are the reason the LEV idea isn't practical here. I wish, with every fiber of my being, that it was.

I agree that it would be nice. A Boston Market would work though.

for what its worth,

Brian

Gramps Says:

I'll add your post I didn't write the other one... It was an idea on how to have the MetoLink Station Development Pay for its self...

I would think that if you use a LEV to and from the Metro, you'd use it to do your local shopping too, and possibly reduce the number of larger cars. Our location is kind of bad for any shopping in Colton with an LEV, the grade to get back home may be a problem. But, I think you'd make down town Riverside and back with no problem, picking a good route.

Metro Link Riders have a routine, and are often better rested than Auto Commuters. So when they are with their children they are at least in a better humor. I agree we should have a goal of employment for folks to live in homes that are affordable with the wages earned in the city.

Being a commuter town is not a "Sustainable Community". It often does not sustain as you point out a healthy nurturing family. At a minimum a Metro Link Station that GT and Highgrove Citizens can use and fully appreciate would aid in minimizing the negatives of a Commuter Town.