Once again, we hear of another in an endless string of uniquely American single-shooter mass casualty events, this time at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. Two children are dead, many more are seriously injured, and the well-armed alleged assailant committed suicide. Initial reports echo the all too familiar responses, including, absolutely incomprehensible unspeakable tragedy horrific, and Pope Leo XIV is praying for the families of the dead. My heart bleeds for the families who sent their children to school, and will now plan their funerals
SB 79, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, mandates that six- to seven-story residential buildings be built within a half-mile radius of any qualifying transit stops, which include some bus stops. This is beyond what has already been mandated along linear corridors and with the housing elements plan. A single-family home neighborhood currently has about eight houses per acre. These will be near developments that cannot be stopped if this bill passes.
These megastructures offer clear advantages-economic efficiency, high development returns, and convenience for transit users-but often ignore urban context and environment.
