Yes on Measure F

FAQ

Q. What does Measure F do?

A.   It establishes for the first time an urban limit line that Brentwood controls.  The voters of Brentwood will direct their planning, not outsiders.  The line will protect the City from unnecessary growth and also will prevent either Antioch or Oakley from encroaching on our City.  This line guarantees that Brentwood will receive millions in sales tax dollars for local road improvements including further improvements to the Highway 4 Bypass.

Measure F also requires local land owners to fix Balfour road and complete the American Avenue loop around Heritage High School and Adams Middle School.  Both roads are dangerous and congested.  This initiative will funding fix of the problem.

The proposal also provides our Police with new resources to fight crime.  We can’t allow the deterioration that has taken place in other communities to happen to us.  Cameras will be provided at key locations of the Police Department’s choosing.  Also, the housing that could be built will not allow initial sales to non-owner occupied buyers.  Because of this requirement, Brentwood can avoid what has happened elsewhere.  We’ve seen what happens when investors are allowed to buy one home after another without a real commitment to the neighborhood.

This initiative also sets forth new planning standards for land along our western border.  This property had been proposed for more housing than may be allowed if this proposal passes.  In 2005, the voters narrowly rejected a proposal for as many as 2,900 homes.  While this measure does not guarantee that any housing will be built, it limits the development to no more than 1,300 homes on approximately 740 acres.  Any actual building must first go through full environmental review and receive support from the Brentwood City Council.  Right now, this land isn’t in Brentwood.

This proposal also aggressively attacks the current economic crisis.  It provides millions in private funding to help promote job growth in Brentwood.  More than 300 million dollars would be invested in the local community.  This will create numerous jobs as well as provide support for our local retailers.  It directs funding to help people in mid career transitions to get training for new opportunities.  It also provides support for scholarships for students who are graduating from our high schools but can’t find the funding to go to college.  The proposal also directs that jobs created by the project are prioritized for Brentwood residents.

Unlike the previous initiative Measure L, this package provides more than enough resources for our local schools.  Three new potential school sites are required.  The new school which will be built on site will have more capacity than is needed.  By providing this extra space, the elementary district will be able to better maintain the concept of neighborhood schools throughout Brentwood.

Significant parkland and playfields are also planned.  The initiative requires the land owners to both build local neighborhood parks while also funding a major new facility along Balfour Road.  We are fortunate in Brentwood because of the active sports community.  This measure provides more parks and fields than normally required.

Q.  Does this measure give final approval for new development?

A.  No.  While it does provide some planning direction, there is no guarantee that any development will be built.  Full environmental review is required along with public hearings and votes by the Brentwood Planning Commission and City Council.  It does put Brentwood in control of the land and establishes limits and requirements that are well beyond typical standards.  The site does border Antioch which has its own voter-approved Urban Limit Line.

Q.  If it doesn’t guarantee new development, why are the land owners funding the initiative?

A.  The landowners want to be a part of Brentwood.  Passage of this proposal gives them a chance to have Brentwood process their application for a project.  Because of the much higher standards that Brentwood requires of projects, the property values here are among the strongest in the region. 

Also, this project is planned to be a higher-end, move up community.  The standards imposed here will be the highest in the City.  By doing things the right way, property values will be both maintained and improved.  That, coupled with the millions in additional revenues to the City and the creation of new jobs will be a real shot in the arm for the local community and economy.

Q.  Who else supports this measure?

A.  As it is a new proposal, many people are just learning about it.  However, business leaders, public safety officials, educators, current and former members of the City Council, farmers and community leaders all have seen the need for Brentwood to control its own borders and for new jobs to come to our community.  This initiative is designed to accomplish exactly that.  For these and other reasons, a broad coalition of leaders support this proposal.