Uninspired development stifles creativity, livability

Three years ago, my wife and I built a home and moved to Milton, drawn by its unique blend of rural charm, coastal character and the promise of a nature-centered lifestyle that would keep us active and healthy.

However, since then, we’ve been alarmed by endless waves of new developments where vast swaths of natural beauty are gobbled up by treeless developments with streets lacking sidewalks, and cookie-cutter homes that are only distinguished by different shades of beige. 

Milton’s response to the needs of their new residents? A McDonald’s, a Royal Farms gas station, more storage facilities and business parks – additions that diminish rather than enhance the quality of life. Where are the initiatives to attract younger demographics and foster vibrant communities?

We need walkable neighborhoods with bike lanes, trekking paths, parks and picnic areas, cafes and restaurants with outdoor spaces, and public art that infuses color and culture into daily life.

Instead of stifling creativity and livability with uninspired big developments, our towns should embrace a forward-thinking vision that revitalizes our community with colorful new waves of livability instead of resigning to a silver tsunami flooding our beach communities.