By Marilyn Staats, Deputy City Manager/Office of Economic Development, City of Montclair

For the most part, we spend time focusing on today at the expensive of thinking about tomorrow.  This is natural given the demands and pressure of daily life. However, one must consider the future to determine where we want life to take us.  This is specifically true when considering a community.  Daily responsibilities and short term objectives must be met but it is necessary to stop and examine where we want the future to take the community.  What should the future look like and what problems could be solved by re-examination.

The update of the General Plan is a time to re-consider the future land use policies in Montclair.  The General Plan can establish policies that will create an economic stable and sustainable place building upon assets such as the Metrolink station, coming of the Goldline, and San Antonio Channel right-of-way.  The impacts of the policy decisions in the General Plan may not be realized immediately but can sow the seeds for a bountiful future.