But consider that more open space preservation, combined with strong growth management measures, means less sprawl development, which means less traffic.

However, some have been critical of the expansion and one California State University, Sacramento professor referred to it as "car-oriented sprawl development."

The heavy traffic in once-quiet suburbia makes cycling dangerous, and the increased distances caused by car-oriented sprawl development make it impractical.

In many communities the taxes generated by low-density sprawl development do not support the new schools, roads and other services that new residents demand.

Separation of uses contributes to wasteful sprawl development, loss of open space, heavy infrastructure costs, and reliance on the automobile.

This would enable future services to be provided in a cost-effective manner, the commission said, instead of allowing more costly sprawl development to continue.

"We would much rather have densities along these rail corridors instead of this sprawl development we seem to be having."

We have subsidized sprawl development.

Current average cost pricing, where customers pay the same price per unit of power regardless of the true cost of their service, subsidizes sprawl development.

This combination would most benefit the long-term health of the river by reducing pollution caused by sprawl development.