Letter: Vote for community's future

Letter to the editor

For years, we have watched talented workers, young families, and essential employees struggle to find housing they can afford near the jobs that sustain our city. When people cannot afford to live here, businesses cannot find and keep staff, teachers move to other districts, and students graduate and move.

Stagnant growth of our population, which is impacted by a lack of housing options, has a ripple effect that touches every corner of our community.

New residents mean new customers. Restaurants, retailers, service providers, and small shops will see increased foot traffic and spending power as more people move here. Additionally, the construction phase will generate contracts, jobs, and spending that support local trades, suppliers, and vendors.

We have to acknowledge the consequences and tradeoffs of not allowing growth and development.

Families, students, professionals, and retirees who cannot afford to live here leave, and with them go essential members of our community. New housing means new opportunities to share the great things about

Davis with people who want to live here and who bring diversity and community.

I understand that growth can raise questions and concerns about potential negative impacts. I support and respect honest, considerate, informed, and thoughtful engagement from all sides and have engaged in those conversations over the past few years. Based on this I’m convinced Village Farms has been responsibly planned, appropriately scaled, and is genuinely needed.

Please join me in voting yes on Measure V.

Josh Chapman

Davis city councilman