This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/cc/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund If you appreciate our service to voters, please consider helping us with a donation.
Smart Voter
Contra Costa County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Measure W
2030 General Plan
City of San Ramon

Majority Approval Required

Fail: 5946 / 28.63% Yes votes ...... 14826 / 71.37% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 30 11:25am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (32/32)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To plan for the future, shall an ordinance be adopted to: approve General Plan 2030; extend Ordinance 197 policies and procedures to 2015 to protect ridgelines, creeks, and open space; expand the Ridgeline Creek Protection Zone map; and extend the Urban Growth Boundary to enhance local control while preserving our quality of life?

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney
As detailed below, Measure W would: 1) Replace existing "General Plan 2020" with "General Plan 2030"; 2) Extend for five years the life of the ridgeline and creek protection ordinance ("Ordinance 197," aka "Save Our Hills"); and 3) Continue the enhanced public hearing process and 4/5th voting requirements established by Measure G for General Plan amendments.

1) GENERAL PLAN 2030

State law requires cities to adopt comprehensive long-term general plans for the development of the city. The General Plan must include at least seven mandatory elements (land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety). It must also include a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of both the city and any land outside the city's boundaries that the city determines relates to its planning. The City's existing General Plan 2020 includes an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and a requirement for voter review of the UGB in 2010.

The proposed General Plan 2030 would:

  • Repeal and replace General Plan 2020;
  • Update and make current all of the elements of the General Plan;
  • Create and designate for mixed use the land within the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan area;
  • Add an Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Element; and
  • Expand the existing UGB to add approximately 2,229 acres (3.48 square miles) to three areas: the 1,626-acre Eastside Specific Plan area of the Tassajara Valley; the 588-acre Norris Canyon Estates area; and the 15-acre Laborer's Camp Property; 2) ORDINANCE 197

This ridgeline and creek protection ordinance is set to expire on December 31, 2010. If adopted this measure would:

  • Extend the development restrictions in Ordinance 197 for the protection of ridgelines and creeks to December 31, 2015;
  • Similarly extend the exceptions to those restrictions relating to potential takings of private property;
  • Expand the area covered by the Ridgeline Creek Protection Zone Map implementing Ordinance 197 to include areas within the expanded UGB; and
  • Continue to require approval for any amendment to or repeal of Ordinance 197 policies or the map of areas covered.
  • Allow the already implemented and out-dated provisions of Ordinance 197 to sunset on December 31, 2010.

3) MEASURE G

In 1999 the voters adopted Measure G. This measure, Measure W, would continue existing Measure G requirements that before any general plan amendment can take effect, the Planning Commission and the City Council must each hold at least three public hearings on any proposed amendment; only if the Planning Commission recommended the amendment by a 4/5th vote and only if the City Council approves it by a 4/5th vote. This Measure would also continue to require voter approval for any General Plan amendment, Specific Plan, or other development that is inconsistent with Ordinance 197 policies.

A "yes" vote is a vote to adopt the changes described above.

A "no" vote rejects the changes described above.

Sheryl Schaffner, City Attorney

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure W which adopts General Plan 2030. The Ordinance portion of Measure W directly follows the arguments and is presented at the end of this Pamphlet. If you desire a copy of the full text of the Measure W General Plan 2030 documents, you may: review those at the City Clerk's office, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon; on the City's website at www.sanramon.ca.gov; or call the City Clerk at 925.973.2539 to have them sent to you at no cost.

  Debates

Debate on Tri-Valley Community TV
Supporters and Opponents

Yes on Measure W

No on Measure W
This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure W Arguments Against Measure W
In March 2002, voters overwhelmingly approved San Ramon resident-drafted General Plan 2020. General Plan 2030 is a state-mandated update of General Plan 2020 to guide City planning for the next twenty years. Along with the Tri-Valley's only state-certified Housing Element, General Plan 2030 embraces numerous strategies enhancing San Ramon's quality of life:

  • Open Space: General Plan 2030 renews the expiring Save Our Hills ordinance that protects our creeks and ridgelines. Its revised Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) extends those protections to a portion of Tassajara Valley, where Contra Costa County's Urban Limit Line will soon be reviewed and where development applications with the County are already pending. This implements General Plan 2020's decision that San Ramon, not the County, should plan this area.

  • Smart Growth: General Plan 2030 includes new Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas policies. These policies reduce pollution and carbon emissions and promote a healthier living environment.

  • Economic Vitality: General Plan 2030 incorporates principles needed to attract new services, jobs and amenities including those that compliment the upcoming City Center.

General Plan 2030 opponents wrongly claim the revised UGB will cause massive development in Tassajara Valley, as occurred in County-planned Dougherty Valley. The UGB will not change any zoning in Tassajara Valley, nor allow any currently-impermissible development. Instead, General Plan 2030 requires preparation of a Specific Plan based on input from all stakeholders - including residents of Tassajara Valley + and a detailed environmental impact report, both requiring approval by San Ramon's Planning Commission and the City Council before any zoning changes occur.

Both Danville and the County want to plan Tassajara Valley. While most County voters live far from Tassajara Valley and are not affected by planning decisions regarding it, Tassajara Valley is San Ramon's backyard. Vote for local planning control and YES on Measure W to approve General Plan 2030.

H. Abram Wilson, San Ramon - Mayor

Donna Kerger, San Ramon Planning Commissioner

Eric G. Wallis, San Ramon Planning Commissioner

Carol A. Lopez, San Ramon Parks & Community Service Commissioner

Dennis Viers, San Ramon Planning Commissioner

Measure W is a deceptive plan by San Ramon politicians and out-of-town developers. Disguised as a "General Plan Amendment" to protect ridgelines and open space, Measure W breaks our Urban Growth Boundary (approved by San Ramon voters in 2006). If approved, Measure W will allow development of 1,624 additional acres in Tassajara Valley and add 608 acres in the hills west of 680.

We're San Ramon residents who care about our quality of life. We support protecting San Ramon's ridgelines and open space + we oppose Measure W. So do Save Mount Diablo, Sierra Club and Greenbelt Alliance.

If Measure W passes, developers will be given the green light on the first major step in building up to 4,200 houses in Tassajara Valley. After that they won't need another ballot vote. The politicians won't tell us what they plan, but these same land speculators proposed thousands of houses in Tassajara in the 1990s. There are 4,600 units, unbuilt but already approved, in San Ramon and Dougherty Valley, exceeding San Ramon's needs.

The consequences will be devastating.

Thousands more houses will lower property values and overcrowd schools, diverting students westward, negatively impacting the quality of education. Our water supply would be stretched in drought years, and more expensive. Up to 20,000 new residents will significantly strain police and fire protection services. Thousands more cars will jam our already congested roads and freeways.

In economically uncertain times, Measure W is not a risk we can afford to take. The only ones who benefit: Out-of-town developers, who will make millions of dollars; politicians who receive campaign donations from the developers.

Don't be fooled by a big developer-funded campaign promoting "local control" and "ridgeline protection." Expanding the voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary will pave the way for building thousands of houses.

We're San Ramon Residents Opposed to Measure W. Please join us in voting NO. Contact us: http://tinyurl.com/NoOnMeasureW

Phil O'Loane, Planning Commission Chair(2009-2010), San Ramon Resident

Sarah (Sally) Scholl, Retired Teacher, Contra Costa County "Teacher of the Year" (2000), San Ramon Resident

San Ramon Residents, Opposed to Measure W, Doug Burr, Co-Chair

Aron Draggoo, Police Officer, San Ramon Resident

Elisa Dowd, Veterinarian and Small Business Owner, San Ramon Resident


Contra Costa Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: January 6, 2011 14:57 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://cavotes.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.