In response to the recent letter, "Scale Down, Less is Better," a counterpoint to shed some light on the specifics of the Grass Valley General Plan:

I am affiliated with the Kenny Ranch project, so I can only address Kenny Ranch and not the other, larger development proposals. The letter suggested that Grass Valley should abide strictly to the existing General Plan. While appealing to thinking that obeying the General Plan is ideal, Grass Valley has the Kenny Ranch property zoned for 88 acres of business park and 22 acres of commercial building, with no neighborhood balance or community assets.

A critical need for Grass Valley is affordable housing for current residents. Is 88 acres of business and 22 acres of commercial helpful to our community? The Village at Kenny Ranch drastically reduces the commercial and business development, and adds balanced, mixed-density, affordable housing.

As Grass Valley and Nevada County residents, we seek balance through Smart Growth. The Village at Kenny Ranch proposes an affordable community, which includes community services and public assets like a hospice/assisted living facility, sports fields, parks, and open space. Before we embrace the Grass Valley General Plan, we should understand what it forces upon us.

Zack Murphy

Penn Valley