Another city's "Next Great Neighborhood" perhaps? Where planners plan, developers dream, and citizens get lost in political visions others have for their home town. But why does every dream look the same? and why do the dreams have to come at such a cost to whole towns and neighborhoods? The only uniqueness in any of these new uber-planned developments is their location. Do I see the Willamette Steps here too?
The problem for citizens now and in the future will be to claim any say in how their city will grow and how to preserve their neighborhoods. This time it's the Bolton neighborhood under siege. Alone, citizens are vulnerable and don't stand a chance against the power of Metro's influence and developers' money (with public subsidies). It reminds me of our Sensitive Lands program - as long as it affects someone else, the majority can live with it.
What do the Neighborhoods want?
Or is the development merely "for the Greater Good" ?
One last thought here - I doubt that the Central Planners , politicians and developers who advocate for these high-density "Plans" would like seeing their neighborhoods fractured with townhouses and affordable housing, so why would they do this to someone else's? 
West Linn residents fear density will follow waterfront development plan
The Oregonian, December 15, 2014 By Michael Bamesberger
The plan imagines apartment complexes, shops, a hotel and esplanade near the base of the historic Arch Bridge. Officials seek to finally create a true center in a city where none exists.
But a group of residents, including two newly-elected city councilors, see something afoul with the plan. Instead of revitalizing the area, they say it will bring unwanted housing density not just near the Willamette River, but into their neighborhood.
The plan also recommends more minor changes along Oregon 43, which runs through the Bolton Neighborhood, one of the city's oldest. The state highway, lined by strip malls, single family homes and a park, could accommodate new development like townhouses or two to three story mixed-used buildings with zoning changes to properties facing the roadway. The old neighborhood fire station, for example, could be redeveloped into affordable housing.
In 2013, the city jumped at the chance to apply for a $220,000 Metro grant to hire a consultant to put together a plan. The process took about a year and included outreach to the community, including small meetings in residents' living rooms and the opening of a vacant storefront so passersby could chat with planners.
But critics charge that the Metro grant comes with hidden strings attached.
By accepting the grant money, Dodds says the city is also accepting Metro's "town center" designation -- and the density targets that go with it.
"Town centers are envisioned to have density between 26 to 40 residents per acre," he said, adding that the area currently has a population density of just 8.5 residents per acre. Such a change would permanently change the character of the neighborhood, he said.
Some wise people realize what is coming and do not like it.
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