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Home Resource Center February Newswire |
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Greenbelt Newswire
In this edition Top Ten: Chronicle Names Jeremy Madsen a "Green Leader" Greenbelt Alliance Executive Director Jeremy Madsen ranked in the San Francisco Chronicle's top ten entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers who are leading the nation's green revolution. These leaders "are among the brightest lights in their respective fields." To see the whole story, visit our Press Room.
Hot Off the Press: Golden Lands, Golden Opportunity Today, Greenbelt Alliance, together with the Bay Area Open Space Council and the Association of Bay Area Governments, is releasing "Golden Lands, Golden Opportunity," a new report identifying Bay Area lands that provide vital public benefits—but are still unprotected.
Success: A Better Vision for Concord Base Greenbelt Alliance’s advocacy for smart growth on the former Concord Naval Weapons Station made a difference! On January 12th, the City Council approved a plan for the base that includes several wins:
The plan now goes to environmental review, and Greenbelt Alliance will be monitoring this process closely. Please contact Christina Wong at cwong@greenbelt.org to get involved.
Success: San Jose Adopts Affordable Housing Policy Great news! In December, the Bay Area's largest city adopted a new inclusionary housing policy. The City Council voted 9-2 in favor of the policy, which ensures that a percentage of all new homes built in San Jose is available to those earning more modest incomes. Greenbelt Alliance has worked toward this for some time, and spoke up in favor of the decision. San Jose has joined dozens of cities around the region using this policy to help people to live closer to jobs and services. The lack of affordable homes has forced many Silicon Valley workers to look for homes in outlying areas, increasing the pressure to develop productive farmland and adding to long commutes, traffic congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions. With this decision, San Jose is moving toward becoming a more sustainable and equitable community.
Action Alert: Concentrate Cloverdale's Growth After four years of work by Greenbelt Alliance and local advocates, the City of Cloverdale is poised to adopt an urban growth boundary. But if the line is not drawn in the right place and the right way, it may not be effective at protecting surrounding open space. Greenbelt Alliance is encouraging local residents to attend the Planning Commission meeting to ask the Commission to: 1) adopt the urban growth boundary directly into the General Plan, and 2) remove Asti Winery—which includes farmlands and open space—from the City boundaries.
For more information, contact Daisy Pistey-Lyhne at daisypl@greenbelt.org. Come out to support a better future for Cloverdale!
Success: San Leandro Backs New Affordable Homes Greenbelt Alliance, Urban Habitat, and allies celebrated a victory in San Leandro on January 22, when the Planning Commission unanimously approved the first part of the Crossings. Greenbelt Alliance endorsed this project, a 5-acre development adjacent to the San Leandro BART station. This first part of the larger project features 100 homes for very low-income families. These new homes will mean that 100 families will not have to make the decision between living near convenient transit and living somewhere they can afford. Thanks to our members who supported the project at the January 22 hearing! On March 2, the Crossings goes before the City Council for approval. If you would like to attend, contact Marla Wilson at mwilson@greenbelt.org for more information.
Event: Marin Forum on Sustainable Planning Feb. 25 On February 25, Marin residents will have a chance to learn how local policies and new state legislation can add up to more sustainable communities, connecting the dots between local food, affordable homes, climate change and more. The Sustainable Novato event, cosponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, Novato Housing Coalition, and Sustainable Marin, will feature a panel discussion on how cities, individuals, and businesses can take practical steps to lay the foundation for a better Marin. Speakers include Assemblyman Jared Huffman; Stuart Cohen, Executive Director of TransForm; Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey; Kurt Karperos, California Air Resources Board; and Warren Karlenzig, author of How Green is Your City?.
For more information, visit www.sustainablenovato.org or e-mail Nathan Johnson at njohnson@greenbelt.org.
Greenbelt Alliance news and events often appear in Bay Nature, the magazine that explores the region’s natural world. Now you can sign up for Bay Nature Connections, a new semi-monthly e-newsletter. Greenbelt Alliance members can also receive a special discount for a one-year subscription to Bay Nature for $17. Just go to http://baynature.org/store and enter promo code SDJDGA at checkout.
Volunteer of the Month: Daniele Petrone Daniele Petrone is the February Volunteer of the Month. Since joining Greenbelt Alliance last fall, Daniele has made his mark on many of our signature programs. A graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Urban and Regional Studies, Daniele came to Greenbelt Alliance to build on his undergraduate studies and research in both the U.S. and in Italy. As an intern for both the Livable Communities Outreach program and the Compact Development Team, Daniele has juggled competing tasks and priorities with finesse, working independently when necessary to get things done on time. Daniele hopes to take what he’s learned at Greenbelt Alliance to graduate school this fall to study City and Regional Planning. Thanks and good luck, Daniele!
Greenbelt Alliance in the News
Many of Nation's Green Leaders from Bay Area, San Francisco Chronicle, February 1, 2009 Urban Outings: San Francisco Botanical Garden and Stow Lake, San Francisco Chronicle, January 15, 2009 Concord leaders approve plan for former military base, Contra Costa Times, January 14, 2009 Pittsburg, developer looking into land trade, San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times, January 4, 2009
Sun Feb 15 What's Newt in Marin (Marin)
Become a Member or Renew Your Membership Support Greenbelt Alliance's work to protect the Bay Area's open spaces and vibrant places. Join or renew now, or join the Greenbelt Guardian monthly donor club. And don't forget to ask your employer about matching contributions!
Thank you for reading! To subscribe to the Greenbelt Alliance Newswire email list, enter your name and email address at www.greenbelt.org. To unsubscribe, simply send an unsubscribe request to unsubscribe@greenbelt.org. |
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