Blog Williamsburg

Stop 22 - Why I dislike the whole thing

We on the Williamsburg Planning Commission have begun implementing the recommendations put forth in the 2006 Comprehensive Plan. A part of the implementation process has been reviewing the allowed density of the Center City area from 14 units per acre to 22. A grass-roots group has popped up that opposes 22 units per acre. They call themselves “Stop 22.” Here is why I dislike their organizational approach.

1 - Political converstions in this country often seems to melt down into a slogan that can be put on a bumper sticker. It comes from out fast-paced, sound-bite, give-it-to-me-quick mentality. We’ve all seen them: catch phrases that do more to inflame than to invite meaningful dialog. “Stop 22” is just such a slogan and, as such, I am deeply skeptical and critical.

2 - People usually don’t know what they want, but they damn sure know what they don’t want. The problem is that to get anywhere you have to know where you want to go, not where you don’t want to go. The name “Stop 22” says it all: it is a reaction against rather than a plan toward.

3 - The question of density is complicated. Indeed, planning for the future of the City Center has been incredibly difficult. We spent months deliberating the ins and outs. We held many public hearings. Where were these people with their bumper sticker during all that time?

In short, I see “Stop 22” as a one-dimensional reaction to a multi-dimensional issue. I welcome the challenge to debate the issues, but I urge the people of “Stop 22” to move into constructive planning and leave behind reactionism.

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