Yes on Measure F

News

LAFCO Chairman Speaks For Himself

In an effort to undue the misinformation caused by Seth Adams’ intentionally misleading comments, Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission Chairman Martin McNair spoke with the Brentwood Press this week.  McNair is the chair of the 7 member commission which decides annexations.  In this case, LAFCO will need to determine if either Brentwood or Antioch annexes the Measure F area along Balfour Road.

In a series of public comments and emails, the No on F crowd have taken McNair’s comments out of context and have tried to get voters to believe something that just isn’t true. 

McNair confirmed that he was unhappy that fellow commissioners had chosen to provide input about LAFCO’s policies and procedures during the Measure F election.  He also stated that LAFCO hadn’t made a final decision about the Brentwood or Antioch annexation question. 

The reason they haven’t made the decision is because the issue hasn’t come to them yet!  The No on F argument is different.  They claim that a negative decision regarding Antioch’s potential taking of the site has already been made.  Absolutely untrue.  A complete fabrication.

McNair went further to clarify his position in his words.  He confirmed that he had read both the Helen Allen/RobSchoder letter along with the Dwight Meadows letter.  In the Press story McNair says that both letters are “accurate.”  He also confirmed in a separate conversation that he agreed with everything the letters of his colleagues stated.  Everything.  He just wished that LAFCO hadn’t become involved.

Vice Chairman David Piepho also participated.  He made it very clear that he also agreed with the comments of Allen, Schroder and Meadows.    They just laid out “the reality of the LAFCO process” stated Piepho.  He also fully supported both the right of the LAFCO members to make their comments.  Unlike the No on F group, others actually still believe in the First Amendment to the Constitution.

With McNair’s and Piepho’s comments, there are now 5 members of LAFCO who have all stated the same thing…namely that if Brentwood’s voters say No and Antioch’s voters say Yes, that they will likely adhere to the express will of the people and put the land into Antioch’s control.  The other two members, Supervisors Gayle Uilkema of Lafayette and Federal Glover of Pittsburg haven’t spoken publicly on the issue.

Should Antioch get the property, none of the limitations on growth nor any of the benefits that Measure F provides Brentwood would be assured.  Antioch could approve any number of homes they wished and Antioch would get the property taxes and other fees.  Given Antioch’s recent announcement that they are openly considering bankruptcy, their need for these dollars couldn’t be more obvious. 

Also, this land would be quite distant from the voters of Antioch.  Accordingly, it might well be an area within which Antioch tries to supply its legally-mandated affordable housing.  Of the 19 cities in Contra Costa, only Moraga, Orinda and Antioch do not have approved housing plans.  State law requires each city to indentify sites for low income housing.  Antioch needs more dense homes and apartments to bring their plans into compliance with the law.

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Antioch Councilman says Antioch Wants Measure F Area

I had the honor to be a member of the Antioch City Council from 2000 through 2008 and I continue to speak out on issues facing our city and East County.

Antioch is in serious trouble. Mayor Jim Davis recently announced that our city might be on the verge of bankruptcy. He mentioned the real possibility that we might not be able to make payroll within the next six months. We’ve already seen deep cuts in our police staffing as well as throughout city government. Our reserves have been depleted.

When we were growing, Antioch avoided these problems by bringing in revenue and new investment. Unfortunately for us, this effectively stopped in 2006, before the downturn in the housing market, which began in 2007. Ever since we stopped growing, our financial situation has become worse.

In 2005 we passed Measure K by a nearly 60-percent vote. I was proud to strongly endorse this initiative, which allowed us to bring Roddy Ranch into Antioch. It also gave us our own urban limit line, which the voters of Antioch control. We had had many fights with the county over land planning. Creating our own line put us in charge.

This brings up Brentwood’s Measure F. The initiative area borders both Brentwood and Antioch. Currently, it’s within Brentwood’ sphere of influence (SOI). However, I believe a majority of Antioch residents would vote to annex this land if the people of Brentwood don’t want it. The extra funding it would provide would help us enormously with our budget issues. Additionally, this area would also build roads and utilities we need to allow our growth to continue in the southern part of our city. In fact, implementation of the Roddy Ranch development requires other areas to help pay for infrastructure.

We know that a sphere of influence can change. We saw it when the City of Pittsburg successfully got LAFCO to change the SOI for the Baker property from Antioch to Pittsburg; and then Pittsburg annexed the Baker property. The Baker property is now developed and known as Century Plaza and Delta Gateway. Its sales and property tax revenues go to Pittsburg instead of Antioch.

I can’t vote in the Measure F election. But many friends in Brentwood have asked me what I thought about the chances of the site coming into Antioch. Although I can’t predict the future, the bottom line is that it would complement Antioch’s plans for Roddy Ranch and FUA1, where Kaiser Hospital is located.

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Readers' Forum: Times wrong about Measure F

WE WERE disappointed but hardly surprised by the half-truths and misinformation of the Times editorial regarding Measure F. The Times has worked against Brentwood's interests for many years. We've been disrespected before and this is more of the same.

Measure F involves land between Brentwood and Antioch. The area was originally inside the 1990 voter approved Urban Limit Line and intended for Brentwood annexation. The Times doesn't bother to mention this.

Everything changed in 2000. Notwithstanding, the Brentwood City Council's unanimous opposition, the Board of Supervisors took this land away from us. With the Times cheering the county along, our wishes were ignored. After the county's land grab, Brentwood sued. Unfortunately, we lost because the county had control. They still do.

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Measure F Opponents Engaged in Sleazy Push Poll

Over the past 24 hours, residents of Brentwood have been subjected to an anonymous “push poll” designed to deceive voters into opposing Measure F.  “Push polls” are calls which claim to be polling efforts but which, in reality, are attempts to confuse voters with misinformation.  The goal of the “push poll” is to frighten and mislead people into voting against Measure F.  These calls are being made by opponents of Measure F and are not from the Yes on F campaign.

“Are you more or less likely to support Measure F given its plan to build Section 8 housing and bring people from Richmond to Brentwood” is one of the questions asked.  The intent of this question couldn’t be more obvious.  Of course, none of this is true.  

“Are you more or less likely to support Measure F since Members of the City Council stand to make financial gain if it passes” is another totally false element of the call.  No member of the City Council stands to profit from Measure F other than the fact that the entire City will do better financially if F is approved.  Brentwood’s staff analysis of Measure F has shown an $800,000 annual surplus to the City if homes are constructed.  This is in addition to major economic boost with local jobs and investment that F includes.

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Land between two cities

I read with interest the recent letter of my colleagues Helen Allen and Rob Schroder. I am fortunate to serve with them on the Local Agency Formation Commission. We have worked together for many years to try and make the right decisions about boundary changes and annexations.

In terms of the issues their letter raised, I couldn’t agree with them more. Like Helen and Rob, I too feel that it is imperative that we at LAFCO respect the will of the people. It has been our long-term policy to honor voter-approved urban limit lines when deciding if and where a particular site should be annexed to one city or another.

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Editorial: Now is the time – ‘Yes’ on Measure F

Stroll down the freezer aisle of your favorite grocery store and you’ll find a classic dessert known as Neapolitan ice cream. Traditionally, it contains three flavors in equal measure – chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Everyone has a favorite. Some love chocolate, are just OK with vanilla, and don’t care for strawberry. Nonetheless, all three are there, and the treat has been popular since the 19th century.

So it is with Measure F. Parts of the measure are desirable, others less so, but as a whole the package fits well with today’s world of compromise solutions: there is something there for everyone.

Proponents of Measure F, though, have been accused of selling their box of Neapolitan by claiming it contains chocolate – true enough, but only part of the story. Likewise, opponents have only been touting that it contains strawberry. The truth, as usual, is like the vanilla: it’s in the middle.

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Supervisor comments

I realize sensitive and emotional local issues like Brentwood’s Measure F bring lots of opinions to the table, but I was surprised to see one in particular. First, let me say that I admire and respect our county’s Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Ovick and his service to our county’s education system. However, his letter of May 7 was incorrect about Measure F.

First, Dr. Ovick states that the Highway 4 Bypass is “funded incrementally with federal dollars.” Actually, the Bypass is funded entirely with local dollars collected solely on new construction as mitigation. Of the $216 million that have been spent, 88 percent has come from development impact fees and 12 percent from the half-cent countywide sales tax measure. If Measure F passes and development occurs, an additional $20 million will go to the Bypass project. There is no other source of money for this critical element of local infrastructure.

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Measure F earns mayoral stamp of approval

After much forethought on the Measure F initiative, and after researching past history, I have found that this area of land has always been in Brentwood’s General Plan and sphere of influence.

I have always pursued the point that the City of Brentwood should always protect all sides of our city, and I do believe that this area should be under the control of the City of Brentwood.

I would like to also ensure that, if passed, this measure should provide a larger area, buffer zone, of open space versus development than it currently does. Additionally, I do not wish to have development on the ridgelines affecting the views of our beautiful hills and mountains.

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‘No’ is no plan

In reading the arguments for and against Measure F, it is sad to see that the voices and politics of “no” have come to dominate the debate. To my fellow Brentwood residents: it is very easy to vote no because no is short for nothing!

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Disrespectful dilettante

I am a local businessman and Brentwood farmer for over 35 years. I went to grammar, middle and high school in this town. My family has lived and farmed this Brentwood corridor since 1970.

The facts are: The traffic volume is overwhelming on the west end of Balfour Road. It can no longer handle the volume of vehicles. I live and see the traffic issues every day at my farm stand.

The selfish nature of Kathy Griffin’s deceptive comments is what has driven me to write this letter. She states, “I want to see green hills when I drive down Balfour Road,” and discounting my children’s safety and the safety of other families and their children upsets me to no end. People currently drive 70 to 80 mph on the section of Balfour Road after Heritage High School.

We need police and fire services to this area; currently we have nothing. Is the next fatality worth your selfish view of green hills, Kathy? For your information, we made sure the ridge lines will be protected and views will still be there if and when homes are built.

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Consequences of Measure F results

We represent Contra Costa’s 19 cities as the Mayors’ Conference representatives on the Local Agency Formation Commission. LAFCO is the agency responsible to decide, among other issues, whether or not a particular area is annexed to one city or another.

Among the factors we consider in deciding these proposed annexations is whether or not the site is within voter-approved urban limit lines. For example, in 2006, we annexed Roddy Ranch (Horse Valley) to Antioch after Antioch’s voters approved Measure K. In 2009, we annexed the Faria Ranch into San Ramon after that city’s voters approved their own urban limit line.

The issue of annexation has come to our attention regarding Brentwood’s Measure F. The land involved in Measure F is located between and adjacent to both Brentwood and Antioch. It is currently within Brentwood’s Sphere of Influence. This is important because it means that Brentwood is the more logical service provider for this area.

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Now is the time for yes

As a long-term Brentwood resident, I find it extremely offensive that those who are against Measure F think that doing nothing will solve our problems.

Brentwood can’t let those who choose to be blind dictate our future. They offer no solutions and no vision as how to solve these problems. A no never fixed a road. A no never built a park or school. A no will not solve gridlock or build a bypass. A no will not bring jobs to Brentwood.

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Guest Comment: Measure F challenge: If not now, when?

I have been a builder for over 40 years and I am very proud of every development I have been involved with, including Shadow Lakes.

I own one of the properties that would be affected by the passage of Measure F; however, I am not a greedy, fat cat, land grabber, out-of-town developer that the opponents of this measure like to throw around. I have owned this property for 25 years, as have the other property owners. I am a local resident of nearby Discovery Bay and three of my grandchildren attend Heritage High School and Adams Middle School.

I want to give the true facts, not the half truths and outright lies the No on Measure F group is spreading.

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The debate over Measure F

As the June 8 election approaches, there’s one thing that both sides of the debate over Measure F share: the belief that the other side is playing fast and loose with the facts.

The measure would move the urban limit line to add 740 acres – the Balfour Plan Area – to southwest Brentwood, and approve a development agreement that rewrites a portion of the city’s General Plan and zoning ordinances to allow construction of up to 1,300 homes, 35 acres of commercial development, and about 200 acres of parks, open space and public facilities.

The agreement also calls for special fees and taxes on the area’s residents that would provide money for recreation, job creation, public safety, additional road construction and a paramedic for eight hours per day at the closest fire station.

This week, The Press presents the first of a two-part story examining the details of Measure F and the potential impacts of its passage or failure. This week’s story covers the housing element of the plan and the urban limit line aspects; next week we will look at impacts and amenities as well as the possible time line for the various components of the project.

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Brentwood landowners attempt to appease Measure F critics

Property owners at the center of a ballot initiative that would establish a more expansive urban limit line here have made several promises regarding future development in an attempt to assuage the opposition.

Five landowners who collectively own nearly all the 740 acres that Measure F's proposed new urban limit line would encompass recently signed an agreement that any homes built in that area won't be occupied until June 2015.

The document also stipulates that developers won't seek to build any apartments unless the city wants them.

In addition, the covenant calls for a special tax on homes built on this property that would generate about $100,000 annually.

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Debate heats up on Measure F

The increasingly contentious debate over Measure F got hotter this week when proponents agreed to fund a paramedic for fire Station 52 in southwest Brentwood, which the measure’s chief opponent termed “another buy-off.”

The measure, which will appear on the June ballot, would move the existing urban limit line out to include 740 acres along Balfour Road. The measure also includes a development agreement allowing up to 1,300 homes, 35 acres of commercial development, and 120 acres of parks and open space in the area. The widening of Balfour Road and completion of school-gridlocked American Avenue are also part of the development agreement.

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The power of positive voting

Our leaders support Measure F to help guarantee a continued positive future. They understand the importance of planning to provide jobs, improve roads, helping our police and fire district. They know that having more sports fields, better parks and improving the public safety improves Brentwood. Our leaders know supporting Measure F brings a positive action for the kind of improved future that has made Brentwood the most desirable city in the East County.

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Yes on Measure F

After reading the guest commentary article by Patrick MacIsaac and two letters to the editor by Kathy Griffin, I felt compelled to give a view from a county resident who would urge you to Vote Yes on Measure F.

Brentwood creating its own urban limit line will ensure the citizens of Brentwood control of the development of this area. Approval of Measure F does not give owners/developers carte blanche. Before the City of Brentwood approves any future development plans through the city’s normal planning procedure, it must include environmental impact studies, and the commission and council must have standard public hearings.

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Prevent further county blunders

It was a Contra Costa County vote with less than 5 percent of the voters being from Brentwood that decided our current urban limit line. It was that 2005 vote, not the school district or the citizens of Brentwood, that created our unsafe mess on American Avenue and has kept Balfour Road unimproved. Don’t let the county continue to make more bad decisions for Brentwood. Measure F will finally put Brentwood voters in control of the future of our Heritage High and Adams Middle School area, provide a plan for our future to fix American Avenue and finally widen Balfour Road.

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Don’t allow others to choose for us

One of the most important points to understand regarding Measure F is that the land in question is not protected open space. The land lies within the neglected and unfunded jurisdiction of the county. It is subject to anything the County Board of Supervisors elects to do – with or without our vote.

If we do not control this land, the owners will likely go to Antioch for annexation, or to the county for development. If this occurs, we will not see most of these improvements and will suffer from a development that will adversely impact our community.

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Measure F addresses problems

Measure F may not be a solution to all of the issues confronting Brentwood, but it sure is a step in the right direction.

We need jobs, investment and better roads. Measure F brings these forward.

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Optimism rekindled

I’m not a big fan of politics, but once in a while, something really nice happens during a campaign. Such an event happened to me this past weekend.

While I was doing some spring cleaning, my door bell rang. I answered it to find a very nice young man passing out a flyer supporting Measure F. He explained that he is a student at Heritage High. Quite eloquently, he said he supported Measure F because of the awful situation getting in and out of Heritage. F will extend American Avenue all the way to a widened and divided Balfour.

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Nothing’s for nothing

In Bill Sumner’s response to a recent letter to the editor, he manifests the concern that the letter focused upon. That is, that many in our community think you can get something for nothing. People like Mr. Sumner simply don’t understand how the economy works. The interrelationship of economic activity and the quality of life we all enjoy is obvious but, nonetheless, remains a mystery to some people.

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Maintain high quality – vote Yes on F

Yes on Measure F means Brentwood gets to control quality and design of any future projects. Rather than give this power to the county or Antioch, Measure F lets us decide.

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Keep Brentwood in control

As a resident of Shadow Lakes, I am most concerned that we in Shadow Lakes and those in Deer Ridge are being sacrificed by partial truths from opponents of Measure F. If we do not support Measure F and Antioch develops these areas, we risk losing our ability as Brentwood residents and voters to have any input as to what is proposed in the new neighborhoods to our west.

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Solution: Yes on F

“If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” For the safety of Brentwood’s children and families, we must finish American Avenue and widen Balfour Road.

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Not pining for the past

If stopping development is such a good idea, why have property values collapsed at the same time that development has shut down? Didn’t property values actually increase dramatically when new development was happening? Prices shot up from 1995 to 2005, the same time that we had a large increase in housing and have fallen since housing slowed in 2006.

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Sold on self-determination

Thank you, Brentwood City Council, for allowing us to vote on the local control initiative. I signed the petition in January because we should decide what happens to our city, not outsiders.

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Guest Comment: Measure F: Locals seeking local control

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the more than 5,200 Brentwood neighbors who recently signed the initiative that would give Brentwood control over our property. We are proud of the proposal and were so gratified that so many people came to the conclusion that we have known for a long time. That is that Brentwood is the right agency to decide what happens with our property. We believe in Brentwood, are fortunate to be a part of this community, and have written this measure so that everyone can benefit from it. Much of this stems from the fact that we have owned our land, on average, for more than 20 years each.

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New urban limit line could mean net gain for Brentwood

An initiative to establish Brentwood's own urban limit line could result in development that eventually would generate roughly $800,000 per year for city coffers. City council members this week received an analysis of the ongoing expenses and revenue that the June ballot measure could mean for Brentwood once the additional 740 acres that the expanded urban limit line would encompass have been fully developed.

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