March 2004 Ballot Measures

On March 2, 2004, Bay Area residents will vote on several ballot measures that impact open space conservation, farmland protection, and future development.

CITY
In Martinez, Measure M is an advisory vote on whether the city should establish a redevelopment district. Greenbelt Alliance supports the establishment of a redevelopment district because it will provide much needed funds for the revitalization of the city's downtown and transit-oriented development near the Amtrak station.

COUNTY
In Contra Costa County, Greenbelt Alliance endorses Measure L, which would prevent "Big Box Super Centers" from being built on unincorporated land. Super Centers, which include a "typical" big box store, like a Wal-Mart or Target, combined with a full service grocery store, have destroyed local businesses and downtown shopping districts across the country, in addition to fueling sprawl, increasing traffic, and causing air pollution. The County Board of Supervisors originally passed a ban on Super Centers in June 2003, but Measure L was forced onto the ballot because Wal-Mart funded a campaign to overturn the ban. For more information, contact the Yes on Measure L campaign at (925) 261-0233 or na4lc.org.

In the Contra Costa Water District, Measure N would authorize the expansion of eastern Contra Costa County's Los Vaqueros Reservoir by fivefold. Greenbelt Alliance opposes Measure M because it would flood 2,600 acres of wildlife habitat and recreational areas, encourage increased sprawl development in the East Bay, and allow the export of Bay Area water to southern California. For more information visit www.stopthedamwaste.com.

In Napa County, Greenbelt Alliance endorses Measure P, which would affirm a county ordinance that establishes stream protection setbacks of 300 feet. This ordinance is widely supported by agricultural groups and other stakeholders. Measure O is billed as a forest and water protection measure, but Greenbelt Alliance opposes this measure because its provisions, such as establishing 1,000-foot stream setbacks, are extreme and, if Measure O passes, Napa County's agricultural heritage would be threatened. Also in Napa County, Measures Q, R and S would provide exemptions to Measure J -- Napa County's landmark agricultural preservation measure. Greenbelt Alliance opposes the three measures because they would set a dangerous precedent of allowing commercial development that is not compatible with agriculture within Napa's agricultural preserves.

REGIONAL
Regional Measure 2 would improve transportation options for Bay Area residents by raising approximately $125 million annually for transit and other transportation needs through a one-dollar increase in bridge tolls. Greenbelt Alliance endorses RM2 because the vast majority of the funds it raises would be spent on transit operations and transit improvements like BART expansion, BART seismic upgrades, express buses, CalTrain expansion and ferry service. For more information visit www.transcoalition.org.

STATE
Greenbelt Alliance endorses Proposition 56, the Budget Accountability Act, which would lower the voter threshold in the legislature from two-thirds to 55 percent to pass a state budget and related tax legislation. This provision would benefit smart growth and land conservation in two ways. First, it would mean conservation and smart growth programs could be funded, even if a legislative minority opposed them. Second, a lowered vote threshold would likely mean state budgets would be passed earlier in the year. Passing state budgets early in the year provides cities and counties certainty about how much state funding they will receive. As such, local governments won't need to rely as much on development fees and sales tax revenue to meet local budget needs. For more information visit www.budgetaccountabilitynow.org.

Remember to vote on March 2nd!

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