Thank you, Mr. Christopher, for bringing up how much of the West is now in a drought (8/20/20 edition). We are feeling the effects from weeks of high temperatures and zero rain — trees are in distress, public and private landscaping is dying and this drought is not over.
Westminster is feeling the extra weight of this due to the astronomical and disproportionately high-water rates, compared to other cities. Of course, high water rates do not produce one drop of water.
Thank you for pointing out the numerous high-density developments underway in town and posing the question of where the water will come from.
I do take issue with the “clarification” on the proposed-Uplands subdivision not being high density. It is a large mixed-use development and absolutely includes “high-density” five-story apartments along Federal, commercial and office spaces, and “mid-density” row houses and small-lot single-units. It is planned out as 2,350-dwelling units on the current Pillar of Fire Farm. It will mean at least 6,000 people living on 230 acres. That is high density and will mean a lot of water usage!
The proposed subdivision brings a massive amount of impervious surface, cementing over the last large open area in town. It would create another giant urban heat island, raising temperatures, not allowing for evening cool-down and increasing energy consumption and greenhouse gases to contribute to climate change and droughts.
I put the yet-to-be-approved Uplands in the same equation as other developments mentioned when asking “where is the water?”
Karen Ray,
Westminster