Zach Ponds is the Town Planner for Cape Charles, Virginia. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Alabama in 2012, and a masters degree in Public Administration in
2018 from Kennesaw State University (GA), where he was inducted as an honorary member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Zach wrote his practicum paper for his MPA program on autonomous vehicles and how they might affect cities in the near future. Zach is passionate about creating walkable, pedestrian-oriented, multi-modal communities.
Having been born in Austin, Texas and graduated high school just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, Zach has slowly made his way east, finally settling in Cape Charles, Virginia with his wife and 18-month-old daughter.
He has worked in the planning profession for three years, with most of his professional planning experience working in the City of Chamblee, Georgia. Outside of work, Zach enjoys outdoor recreation, reading, and, of course, watching Alabama football. #RollTide.
Margot Gorske says
December 16, 2018 at 2:49 pmWelcome to my fellow Texan!
David Gay says
December 17, 2018 at 2:46 pmWelcome to Cape Charles!! Looking forward to working with you on the HDRB.
Laurie Wolpert says
December 18, 2018 at 1:56 pmWalkable cities are so smart. I know people love their vehicles, but imagine how much money on gas and wear and tear could be avoided if cities were more accessible for walking and public transit, not to mention the health benefits of not sitting for long periods of time. Lead the way!
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
December 18, 2018 at 5:50 pmUm, is there a town MORE walkable than Cape Chuck?
But seriously, would you be willing to walk from your apartment in Red Hook to your job in midtown?
Keep them the size of CC, and it’s possible.
Paul Plante says
December 18, 2018 at 9:39 pmI lived in San Francisco, a city about the size of Cape Chas, I am told, and I used to walk 45 minutes to work each day, and loved it.
I didn’t own a car and loved that, too.
I used to walk for miles on the weekend, like Beethoven.
Walking is great exercise.
If people were to do more of it, they wouldn’t be so obese!
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
December 19, 2018 at 2:59 pmThe San Francisco bay area is measured at 10, 189 square miles.
Cape Charles is approximately 4.8 square miles.
To get from Red Hook Brooklyn to midtown, you’d take the BQE to the Manhattan bridge, walk over the bridge and then walk about 125 blocks to midtown. 6.1 miles, but it’ll take you just under 2 hours.
Walkable is nice, but simply not economic.
“I used to walk for miles on the weekend, like Beethoven.
Walking is great exercise.
If people were to do more of it, they wouldn’t be so obese!”
I agree with all of those statements, especially since it was YOUR CHOICE to walk, not a Government mandate.
Anyone who says public transit is a good thing never took public transit.
And the pathologies that arise out of over densifying? Don’t get me started…….but please read the research on that subject.
David Muir says
December 19, 2018 at 4:30 pm“Anyone who says public transit is a good thing never took public transit.” What complete and utter crap. I lived in New York for years and the subway was by far the best way to get around town. Faster and cheaper than any private alternative. Only idiots with more time and money than sense would drive their cars in and around town.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
December 19, 2018 at 8:14 pmThat’s one leg of public transit, David. The red hook to midtown on buses is 3 transfers and an hour of travel. 6.1 miles.
Lemme guess, you lived in midtown, and worked downtown.
Idiots with more time than money, eh? Or, delivery guys making chump change. Hospital visitors. Business meetings. Etcetera etcetera ad infinitum.
But Nooooooo, your not an elitist at all…………..
How about South Trenton to Hamilton? Less than 2 miles but with transfers and routes it also takes an hour. I guess you don’t care that poor people are losing 2 hours a day with their families to an unwieldy transit system.
“Sniff, sniff says David Muir, why PT is fine!! Every time I went to the theatre or the museum, twas a fine alternative to my garaged automobile.”
Laurie Wolpert says
December 19, 2018 at 7:39 pmhttps://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/estonia-will-roll-out-free-public-transit-nationwide/560648/
I think this is great. Public transit is kin to the public library, that is, it promotes a common good that we can all participate in, whether rich or poor.
I commute two hours a day in the northeast. A good MP3 player is the only thing that saves my sanity.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
December 19, 2018 at 8:20 pmhttp://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-fare-beating-mta-20181121-story.html
%88 of their operating deficit is accounted for in the fare jumper costs.
As for Estonia, there is no such thing as a free lunch. SOMEBODY gonna pay for that ‘free’ stuff.
I’m sorry your family has to sacrifice your company for 2 hours a day, but hey at least you got music while 1/12 of your day slips away.
mollie pickron says
December 27, 2018 at 7:08 pmStaying on subject, welcome, Zach!! I’m totally with you on the walkability thing! Our residential section sidewalks could really use a ‘relook’. So many Cape Charles streets have spotty or non existent sidewalks, causing walkers to step out into the street with their kids, dogs, or guests to progress forward. I hear ‘vdot, vdot, vdot’ but seems like there should be something we could do to improve the walkability.
Anyway, we’re glad you’re here!