Letter: The threat in Measure W Around Town, posted by , a resident of , on Sep 21, 2010 at 9:01 am
"The passage of Measure W represents not only a blow to urban control but would also be the first salvo in the invasion of Tassajara Valley. To those who favor urban control and see rural Tassajara as a lasting environmental benefit, the November election is considered vital."
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, September 20, 2010, 3:34 PM
Posted by Jim Gibbon, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 21, 2010 at 9:01 am
Ed’s description is accurate except for one thing, once the valley is brought into the urban growth boundary by the voters we will not have another chance to review or vote on any development in the valley. The process we are to approve with our vote is to allow the city council to develop an Eastside Specific Plan for urban development and to process all land owner development proposals for the valley. The General Plan 2030 approval sets this in motion.
The residences of San Ramon have only one bite at the apple about the future of the Tassajara Valley. Once set in motion the process of urban development is in the hands of the city council and the public hearing process. We all know how that process works; one, two, three approved.
The city council wants this valley for the money it will bring in to the city to pay high employee salaries. The saying around the city is that “the city council hasn’t seen a piece of property that they can’t make money from”. This city council gives lip service to preservation and conservation, but their actions show that it is not part of their agenda or business plan. When talking of ‘control’ the city council means development.
Moving the Urban Development Boundary into the Tassajara Valley equals urban development in the valley. It is not a complicated equation. The residences in San Ramon have a choice of urban development with all its consequences or preserving the rural live in the valley.
Posted by B, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 21, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Well put Jim! NO on Measure W! The ONLY reason to move an Urban Growth Boundary (which is exactly what Measure W is despite the City's environmental rhetoric) is to develop. If the City wanted to protect the Tassajara Valley and Western Hills they would maintain the status quo! We don't need more houses but we will run out of open space and natural lands. It is a given and in the hands of San Ramon residents.
Posted by Raymond, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 22, 2010 at 8:18 am
Who do you think needs more money - the city or the county? The county is almost broke and will stop at nothing to ram as much development as possible down our throats. They don't have the slightest interest in preserving Tassajara Valley.
San Ramon is in a much, much better financial position than the county.
I believe the city when they say they want to preserve this area. Even if there is some development, it will be much more orderly and less dense than what the county will do.
Posted by Common Sense, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 22, 2010 at 8:51 am
San Ramon is one of 2 or 3 most pro-development cities in Contra Costa. The Tassajara Valley and the areas the city is trying to grab are county land now and have been for 160 years. In 1990 county voters created the first urban limit line, in 2000 the county tightened it to exclude the Tassajara Valley, and in 2006 held a countywide vote confirming it again with Tassajara Valley outside of it, and for the future requiring public votes for any changes to the growth boundary. Only rural development, minor subdivisions of 4 units or less, is allowed outside of the growth boundary, and no major subdivision has been approved outside of the line sine 1990. San Ramon voters have voted repeatedly to keep Tassajara Valley outside of the boundary; the city is the one trying to break the line. The only reason to expand an urban growth boundary is for more urban growth. Please vote NO on Measure W on Nov. 2nd.
Posted by Common Sense, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 22, 2010 at 11:01 pm
More than two words: people have been trying to develop the Tassajara Valley for decades, most recently the city of San Ramon right now in Measure W. What has in fact happened is that protections have grown more strong, because concerned residents keep making them stronger. The only reason to break and expand an urban growth boundary is to allow more urban growth.
Please vote no on Measure W on Nov. 2 - it's a cynical, deceptive attempt to fool residents into breaking their own growth boundary
Posted by Joe Queirolo, a resident of another community, on Sep 23, 2010 at 6:59 am
This story seems somehow pertinent.
A long time ago, when I was managing Crow Canyon Gardens, I heard that there was a proposal to develop the adjoining parcel. I called Herb Moniz and suggested the City buy the land to expand the park instead. He told me the City had no money for that but that he was a strong advocate for open space and, if I could find the money, the parcel might be preserved. I got on the phone and spoke to People for Open Space who said they would arrange financing. All they needed was a go-ahead from the City. I called Herb and gave him the good news. He said he would pass it along to the Planning Director.
I never heard another word about it. Not long after, Braddock and Logan brought in bulldozers, took out the big Monterey Pines, and built their apartments.
Posted by Steve O'Brien, a resident of San Ramon, on Sep 23, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Neither the city nor the county can develop in Tassajara Valley without a vote to move their respective urban boundaries. So New Farm or any other pipe dream project can't happen without voter approval first. Wake up. San Ramon is the one trying just that with Measure W. Joe's story above speaks volumes. It also mirrors my experiences as a resident on the city's housing advisory board. The city is run by growth hungry staffers and supporting council members. The burn rate of their outrageous salaries and pensions does not square with income in the out years. They are selling out our community to fatten their wallets. Vote NO.
Posted by wildlife lover, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 19, 2010 at 8:00 pm
So let me try and get this right?? If I vote NO on W, The open spaces will be protected? I heard that if I vote NO on W the county will be the ones to start the development of Tassajara Valley? If I vote YES on W, we the residents will have some say in the matter??
Posted by Emily West, editor of the SanRamonExpress.com, on Oct 20, 2010 at 10:17 am Emily West is a member (registered user) of San Ramon Express
Wildlife lover, you're right in that this is a very confusing issue. Both sides say that they will protect Tassajara Valley. It's too complex to type out in this little box, but on Friday we will be posting our story on the issue. On Monday, we'll plan to post our opinion on it.
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