We, the undersigned, petition the Claremont City Council to modify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the Village South Specific Plan (VSSP) to accommodate sufficient size and scale to make the development truly sustainable and equitable. We support an inclusive community of businesspeople and residents in the heart of Claremont with a diversity of housing options, efficient and active modes of transportation, human-scaled design with safe, walkable streets and public spaces, and healthy air quality – all powered by renewable energy. In Claremont’s long-standing tradition, we honor our heritage by preserving and repurposing historic buildings, while building a sustainable and equitable future for all residents. These goals are not attainable under the restrictions on height and housing units currently under consideration, and we strongly urge the Council to direct city staff to determine the increases in size, scale, building height, and housing density that are necessary for accomplishing these goals.

The current plan cannot be considered sustainable or equitable without more housing units built next to our major public transportation systems. The best use of this land requires sufficient density to allow for meaningful use of the Metrolink connection, high-frequency buslines, and the coming Gold Line by residents. Residents will also have safe, walkable connections to the existing Village to provide new customers for our current businesses. More housing units next to public mass transit will mean fewer vehicles, fewer miles traveled, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and better air quality. Building more units also makes more efficient use of our limited resources such as water and energy. An increased number of housing units will allow for meaningful choice and affordability, meet State-mandated housing obligations, and retain local control over land-use decisions. Our Claremont community is built on inclusion, equity, and sustainability. We urge the City Council to modify the EIR for Village South to allow for sufficient size and scale to reflect our values.