Citizens for Balanced Growth Posts

This statement was presented to the Livermore City Council July 13, 2015

As an educational non-profit, Citizens for Balanced Growth normally undertakes efforts to shed light on issues.  Fortunately, this time the public is already very well informed about the impacts related the possibility of rezoning the Sunset Office Plaza for residential use.

Council Members are undoubtedly aware of the numerous published editorials, and have endured countless conversations involving the negative impacts of a zoning change, as well as being reminded of the commitments by which the applicant was allowed to build the adjacent homes.  There is no need to repeat what you already know, and has been so eloquently stated by so many people.  We believe Council can clearly see that the goal of balancing jobs and housing is not achieved by adding more residences to an area of town that is already overwhelmingly residential.

The challenge for Council is not whether the current zoning is good for the community, but rather what is to be done with an owner of commercial property that seems disinterested in continuing current operations, yet won’t solve the problem in the conventional manner by simply selling it to an eager buyer.

What we would like to add to the conversation is simply this.  Do not let fear cloud your better judgement. Despite the rumors and back room anxiety, the owner needs to maintain the property at a profit in order to cover taxes, expenses and maintain the required park area. The plaza will not become a vacant lot. They are business people, and they’ll do what is most economically beneficial for their company.  If they see little hope for rezoning, we believe the owner will either continue to operate the plaza profitably, or sell it to someone else prepared to do the same. The profit motive always wins, as it should in most businesses.

Finally, please consider the message you will be sending other property owners who might be watching this decision closely. Rezoning this property will reverberate far into the future, beyond the confines of this action.  Imagine how impactful it may become.

Alameda County Measure BB – NO

Citizens for Balanced Growth is recommending a NO vote on Measure BB, the Alameda County sales tax increase and extension.  It will raise sales taxes by 1/2% for at least 30 years and make Alameda the highest taxed county in California. Sometimes tax increases are wise, but we don’t believe BB will provide an honest value for the Tri-Valley, or adequately address the environmental issues that are important to CBG and our donors.

The promise of Livermore BART and reduced traffic congestion is attractive, but Measure BB fails in both these respects.   A careful reading of their “plan” reveals that the BART money is uncommitted; it could easily result in the all too familiar story of Livermore paying the tax and not getting BART.  As for traffic congestion, ACTC’s own projections show that it will be worse after their spending plan is implemented, not better. ACTC is trying to solve tomorrow’s traffic problems with yesterday’s solutions, and they won’t work.

As for paratransit, bus subsidies and the rest, they can be provided with reallocation or even a sensible local tax.  Otherwise, ACTC can propose a more effective plan which should be achievable in a couple of years. With almost eight years before the existing tax expires, they have all the time they need.

For 32 years, CBG has promoted environmental actions that make good sense.  Unfortunately, Measure BB falls short.
voteNoOnBB.com
NoOnBB.com

Dublin Measure T – NO

We can’t add anything to the discussion that hasn’t already been well articulated.

http://savedublinopenspace.org
http://www.greenbelt.org/general/no-on-dublin-measure-t
https://www.facebook.com/openspacedublin

It seems we may be coming full circle. CBG was created to expand the discussion of potential impacts to existing residents from new development plans. Chief among those impacts were traffic, and the water supply/quality.

The Independent did an in-depth story on the issue recently.

Until now, CBG has maintained a minimal presence on the web, mainly to provide a convenient way to make donations and contact us.  The time has come however, to open the door to what we have been doing recently, and information about our goals for the future. Please check back and let us know what you think!