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Home Resource Center In the News Home Greenbelt Alliance in the News |
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Greenbelt Alliance In the News
June 8, 2003 City Council acted with wisdom on growth
Opinion BylineThe Daily Republic has been inundated with opposition to the Fairfield City Council's decision to enact into law the citizens' initiative to protect Travis AFB and prevent sprawl. This outpouring of opinion has come from those who wish to see, and who would profit from, development near Travis and in Suisun and Green valleys. It has also come from those who argue it is the voters who should decide whether or not the initiative becomes law. Arguments supporting the council's action have been difficult to hear through the noise of the opposition. First, the city's General Plan and the citizens' initiative allow for substantial Fairfield growth - from roughly 100,000 to 136,000 residents by 2020. Just last year the General Plan underwent an extensive public review process and comprehensive traffic, growth, and environmental impact studies. Second, it is sound growth management policies that will help meet affordable housing needs. A 2002 Brookings Institution study found that "traditional land use practices tend to be 'laissez-faire' in their approach to affordable housing, or they deliberately zone for low-density, expensive homes to exclude low-income households or communities of color." The study concludes that "the market is the primary determinant of housing prices, and that sound growth management policies provide more affordable housing than traditional land use policies." Third, the citizens' initiative puts decision-making power in the hands of the voters. A May 18 Daily Republic news article said it well. Question: "How would the policies change if the petition becomes law?" Answer: "Only voters could change or repeal them. Developers wanting to build near Travis, in middle Green Valley or in Suisun Valley would have to convince voters in an election." Otherwise, developers wanting to build in these areas would need only convince three out of five city councilmembers. Fourth, the council is a representative government, elected based on their campaign platforms to protect Travis AFB and Suisun and Green valleys. The council did not act outside the realm of its role as a representative government, and it did act in accordance with campaign promises. In December 2002, the Livermore City Council enacted into law a citizens' initiative to establish a growth boundary for its community. The Fairfield City Council acted similarly. The Travis Reserve and noise standard will keep sprawl away from the base so it has the room it needs for future expansion or support uses. The urban limit line serves as a boundary for the city's growth, preventing wasteful sprawl from paving over the rich farmland of Suisun and Green valleys. Tremendous power and money fuels sprawl - with its neglect of downtowns, its loss of farmland and open space, its lack of transportation choices, and its lack of housing choices that are affordable. Stopping sprawl and promoting smart growth takes leadership and courage. The Fairfield City Council acted in good faith and with wise judgment. Natalie DuMont Greenbelt Alliance Vacaville ### |
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