HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09101996 - C155 C154, and C.155
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on September 10, 1996, by the following vote:
i
AYES: Supervisors Rogers, Bishop, DeSaulnier, Torlakson, and Smith
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT':
C.154 LETTERS received August 30, 1996, from representatives of construction/engineering
firms expressing opposition to the proposed amendments by the Steamfitters and
Pipefitters Union, Local 342, to the recently adopted Hazardous Materials Commission
Ordinance, and requesting Board support for realistic alternatives.
""REFERRED TO AD HOC COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND HEALTH
SERVICES DIRECTOR
C.155 LETTER dated August 24, 1996, from Gary P. Stern, 639 Glorietta Blvd., Lafayette,
CA 94549, urging the Board to reexamine and tighten urban limit lines to assure that
future development occurs in a fashion that recognizes the benefits of open space and
preserves agricultural land.
""REFERRED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
c.c. Correspondents 11w0y ae"that this a a true and Asa Dopy of
�c sta and e� an tha mtnuba of tlia
Ad Hoc Committee On Industrial
Safe ASD• ��9G
Safety a of mss
Health Services Director
Community Development Director ►
GARY P. STERN
639 GLORIETTA BLVD.
LAFAYETTE, CA 94549 RECEIVED
510/283.3205, 510/283.5703 fax
August 24, 1996
CLE
BOARD OF Stir'
CONTRA COS
Supervisor Mark De Saulnier
651 Pine Street, Rm, 106
Martinez, CA 94553
Dear Supervisor De Saulnier:
As long time residents of Contra Costa, we have witnessed many changes in our
community and its environs. Most of them have been for the worse. Scenic orchards and
ridgelines and open space have been replaced with sprawling development. Despite road
building and freeway expansion, traffic is terrible and getting worse on a daily basis.
Noise, crime and pollution continue to grow. Costs are up but services are down. Some
might argue that these are inevitable but we believe that they are a direct result of the
actions and attitudes of government officials wholly out of touch with the wishes of the
vast majority of Contra Costa residents. It is time to end short-sighted boosterism and to
focus on responsible development consistent with the quality of life all of us sought when
we chose to live here.
We strongly urge you and the Board to reexamine and tighten urban limit lines. The lines
drawn after the 1990 ballot measure were not consistent with the understanding of the
electorate that passed it. Instead of the 35% promised, 46% of the county's land was
included inside the urban limit lines. Instead of limiting sprawl, the effect has been to
exacerbate it. And now proposals, such as the annexation of 2700 acres along Kirker Pass
Road by the city of Pittsburg, would flout even the overly-drawn lines and threaten to
make a mockery of the entire process.
Recently, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Marin, as well as nearby Pleasanton and Union City,
have all taken steps to formalize or tighten urban gtowth boundaries in order to assure
that future development occurs in a fashion that recognizes the benefits of open space and
preserves agricultural land. Of all Bay Area counties, Contra Costa has the greatest
percentage of its land threatened by sprawl development notwithstanding the fact that the
backlog of approved but unbuilt or unsold housing represents many years of sales.
Please follow the lead of our neighboring communities. Please listen to your constituents.
Please ask yourself whether our growth in the past decade has represented real progress in
improving the quality of life in the County for all its residents or has just increased tax
collections and increased the wealth of a few individuals. And then please take action to
redefine and establish meaningful and responsible urban limit lines as a first step toward
making this a better place to live and work.
Very yours,
*Gary St n
Alice Stern