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Greenbelt Newswire
Your Five Minute News Flash
Greenbelt Alliance * Volume 5, Issue 4: April 2006

Volunteers of the Month: ARC Volunteers

In this edition

Volunteers of the Month: ARC Volunteers
Action Alert: Phone Bank for the Greenbelt in May
Event: San Jose Mayoral Forum on the Environment, May 15
Event: San Mateo Forum on Housing and Transportation, May 18
Action Alert: Housing and Growth Decisions in Contra Costa County
Announcement: Solano County Orderly Growth Campaign Launch
Announcement: Greenbelt Alliance Files Suit Against Floodplain Development
Upcoming Outings & Events


Volunteers of the Month: ARC Volunteers

For over five years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the lucky host of a team of talented volunteers from the ARC of San Francisco. The teams of four to six come regularly to Greenbelt Alliance's San Francisco office to tackle the administrative tasks that are so critical to keeping the organization running smoothly.

"The ARC volunteers are a breath of fresh air! They fill the office with their high-energy smiles and good cheer. I'm always amazed at how quickly and efficiently they get their tasks done," says Membership Assistant Anita Lalwani.

In the photo above are ARC volunteers Nancy Der, Wai Yu Leung, Yessica Sanchez, ARC instructor Michael Pierce, and Genie Lau.

The ARC of San Francisco is a non-profit founded in 1951 to serve, support and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Thank you for years of great service, ARC volunteers!

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Action Alert: Phone Bank for the Greenbelt in May

Our March phone banking efforts were a big success, and a lot of fun! Come on out in May to spend an evening (or a few) talking with voters to protect the greenbelt:

San Francisco phone banks:

Dates: Tuesday May 9, Thursday May 11, Monday May 15, Tuesday May 16, Tuesday May 30, Wednesday May 31
Time: 5:30 - 9:00 pm

To sign up: email Cheryl Scott

Napa phone banks:

Tuesdays:
May 9, May 16, May 30
6:00 - 9:00 pm

Thursdays:
May 11, May 18, June 1
5:30 - 8:30 pm

To sign up: email Nicole Arnold

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Event: San Jose Mayoral Forum on the Environment, May 15

The time has come for San Jose residents to elect a new mayor and for environmental issues to play a major role in the debate. An upcoming candidates' forum will be the first ever to focus solely on environmental issues like open space protection, air and water quality, and development and sprawl. Join us for this historic occasion.

Who should be the next leader of the Bay Area's largest city? Find out how the candidates will approach issues that affect the whole region's future.

When: Monday, May 15, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: United Way Building, 1922 The Alameda, Room 105, San Jose
(One block south of 880/17 - access back parking lot off McKendrie)

Sponsored by: Greenbelt Alliance, Our City Forest, Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters, and Breathe California

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Event: San Mateo Forum on Housing and Transportation, May 18

If the Bay Area is to grow sustainably, our communities need to redefine how we grow. Instead of paving over farmlands, hillsides, and wildlife habitat, and increasing traffic and pollution, cities and towns can focus on infill sites to meet the need for housing.

Join us for a panel discussion on the potential to transform Bay Area growth, and how this transformation is beginning to occur all over the region.

When: Thursday, May 18, 6:45 - 8:30 pm

Where: King Community Center, 725 Monte Diablo, San Mateo

Moderator: County Supervisor Jerry Hill

Panelists:

Green Developer: Jeff Oberdorfer, First Community Housing
Regional Impacts: Don Weden, Retired Master Planner
Transportation Planner : Jeff Tumlin, Nelson/Nygaard
Environmental Perspective: Jeremy Madsen, San Francisco Foundation

Sponsored by: Sierra Club, Greenbelt Alliance, League of Woman Voters of San Mateo County, Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, and Silicon Valley Leadership Group

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Action Alert: Housing and Growth Decisions in Contra Costa County

Two upcoming decisions in Contra Costa County have the potential to dramatically shape the county's future:

  • On April 25th, the county's Planning Commission will consider adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance. This would require new residential development to include homes that families making less than the median income can afford. The ordinance would ensure a range of housing types are built in Contra Costa and enable people to live closer to their jobs. If the Planning Commission approves the ordinance, it will then go to the County Board of Supervisors this summer. It's taken over five years for the county to get this far; we need to make sure it happens.

    Come speak up at the Planning Commission hearing to support this important step for the county!

    When: Tuesday, April 25, 7:00 pm
    Where: County Board of Supervisors chambers, 651 Pine Street, Martinez

  • In the coming months, the Board of Supervisors will be considering a countywide urban limit line initiative for the November ballot. This initiative could strengthen protections for farmland and natural areas, and help prevent development in floodplains - or it could open up more land to development. It's up to local residents to get the Board to create a strong initiative.

    Take Action!
    Write or call the Board of Supervisors and tell them you support Greenbelt Alliance's Urban Limit Line proposal. Or contact East Bay Field Representative David Reid at 925-932-7776 to see how you can help.

Your support of these efforts will help local people afford a place to live, and prevent the loss of thousands of acres of natural areas and working farms.

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Announcement: Solano County Orderly Growth Campaign Launch

For two decades, Solano County's Orderly Growth Initiative has been the foundation of the county's planning for growth. The initiative protects hundreds of acres of prime farmland from being developed, by keeping growth off unincorporated county lands and helping to guide growth into existing cities. Local volunteers are kicking off a campaign to renew the Orderly Growth Initiative.

Get involved to help protect Solano County's farmland and natural areas! Volunteers are needed to help with signature gathering and other efforts. Contact Nicole Arnold at nicole@greenbelt.org or 707-427-2308.

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Announcement: Greenbelt Alliance Files Suit Against Floodplain Development

On April 11th, Greenbelt Alliance filed suit with the City of Oakley over the city's plan to build 4,300 houses on an island in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. The development is proposed for an area that is below sea level, behind old levees.

Oakley's City Council had approved the plan in a packed hearing on March 13th.

Greenbelt Alliance's lawsuit argues that the city's plan has not met the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The plan fails to meet state standards for reducing the risk to lives and property, and would have negative impacts on sensitive plant and animal species, on air and water quality, and on East Contra Costa County's already traffic-filled roads. None of these impacts are adequately addressed in the plan.

There is plenty of room available in Oakley's existing city limits; this development is unnecessary as well as dangerous.

To see recent media coverage, visit:
04/12/2006 Lawsuits Filed To Stop Building Near Levees, ABC News
04/12/2006 OAKLEY: Environmental group sues to block below-sea-level housing tract, San Francisco Chronicle
04/12/2006 Group sues to stop housing project, Contra Costa Times

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Upcoming Outings & Events

Sun Apr 23: April in Point Reyes
Sun Apr 30: Wildflowers and Wine

Become a Member or Renew Your Membership

Support our work to protect the Bay Area's open space and make our cities better places to live. Click here to join or renew, or click here to join our Greenbelt Guardian monthly donor club. Questions? Contact Melissa Wright at 415-543-6771 or mwright@greenbelt.org.

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