Holding the Urban Line in Contra Costa

Elected officials in Contra Costa County have an unprecedented opportunity to direct the county's rapid growth onto a more sustainable path. Measure J, the just-passed transportation-sales-tax measure, mandates that to receive shares of the funding, the county and the cities must abide by an Urban Limit Line. If the county and the cities come to agreement, the county's voters will vote on the ULL in 2006.

Before the voters weigh in, the politicians will have to agree on the proposed location. Last fall, seven cities proposed moving the current line to allow future development on an additional 6,000 acres of open space.

If the line is moved, this land on the edges of the county will be converted from working farms, ranches, and open space to estate housing and industrial complexes. Not only will wildlife habitat be forever destroyed, but the car-dependent developments will likely add to pollution and traffic. The county's growth in jobs and housing can be accommodated without paving over these natural resources.

The negotiations between the cities and the county may conclude in December, but the process may extend into the new year.

What You Can Do

We need your help to protect Contra Costa's future from rampant growth.

Contact your supervisor at:

Urge them to oppose any loosening of the ULL.

Write a letter to the Contra Costa Newspapers at:

Explain why the line should not be moved.

Volunteer to collect signatures at farmers' markets and other events in January. Contact Nicole Drake for this and more opportunities at (510) 848-0800, ext. 310.

David Reid, Greenbelt Alliance