Pass: 164,426 / 63.75% Yes votes ...... 93,490 / 36.25% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

In 1988, County voters approved Measure C-1988, which imposed a sales tax for local transportation purposes. In 2004, voters approved Measure J, which extended that sales tax 25 years. The County must have a ULL, developed and maintained in accord with the "Principles of Agreement for Establishing the Urban Limit Line" ("Principles"), which was part of Measure J, to receive the sales tax proceeds. To comply with the Principles, the ULL must be extended beyond 2010.

To continue to be eligible to receive the sales tax proceeds, the Principles require the County, by March 31, 2009, to either establish a ULL based on the mutual agreement of the County and cities or obtain voter approval of a County ULL. The County and cities were unable to agree upon a ULL. The County therefore seeks voter approval of the extension of the County's ULL to continue to be eligible to receive the sales tax proceeds.

In July 2005, the County took steps to initiate a new, voter-approved ULL, including carrying out an environmental review and preparing a ballot measure. The environmental review resulted in a conclusion that the proposed ballot measure will not result in any significant impacts on the environment.

If this ballot measure is approved by the voters, the measure would amend the County's General Plan (2005-2020) and the 65/35 Ordinance to accomplish the following: (1) extend the term of the 65/35 Ordinance from December 31, 2010, to December 31, 2026; (2) require four-fifths vote of the County Board of Supervisors and voter approval to expand the ULL by more than 30 acres (but voter approval is not required if four- fifths of the Board finds after a public hearing that there is substantial evidence in the record that the ULL expansion is necessary to avoid an unconstitutional taking of private property or is necessary to comply with state or federal law); (3) provide for periodic reviews of the ULL by the Board of Supervisors and a required review in 2016 involving an evaluation of housing and job needs; (4) adopt a new ULL map; and (5) retain the 65/35 land preservation standard and protections for the County's prime agricultural land.

This measure will become effective immediately if approved by a majority of the voters voting on the measure.

Over the past 16 years, the Urban Limit Line has protected thousands of acres of open space and agricultural lands and has succeeded in channeling growth into areas of the County most appropriate for urban development. Through Measure L, the Board of Supervisors asks the voters to extend the term of the County's Urban Limit Line to the year 2026.

What does a "yes" vote on Measure L mean? A "yes" vote will extend the term of the Urban Limit Line for another 20 years insuring the continued protection and preservation of the County's open space and agricultural lands. A "yes" vote will require voter approval for future expansion of the Urban Limit Line by more than 30 acres, meaning that through 2026 the voters will decide whether the unincorporated, rural areas of Contra Costa County should be urbanized. A "yes" vote will provide certainty in the County's land use planning process, promoting orderly development in the unincorporated communities of the County with adequate public services to accommodate future growth (roads, water, sewer, etc.). A "yes" vote will maintain eligibility for local funds under the 1?2 cent transportation sales tax program approved by voters in
2004.

We strongly urge voters to approve Measure L.

John Gioia, Supervisor, District I

Gayle B. Uilkema, Supervisor, District II

Mary Nejedly Piepho, Supervisor District III

Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor, District IV

Federal D. Glover, Supervisor, District V

(No arguments against Measure L were submitted)