Franklin Canyon protection on November ballot

An initiative to protect Franklin Canyon is headed for the November ballot in Hercules (unless the City Council should choose to adopt it on June 22).

Volunteers collected over twice the number of signatures needed to qualify, and did so in just 30 days out of the permissible 180. On May 3, proponents Jeffra Cook and Gregory Lewis delivered the 1,808 signatures to the city clerk. Only 878 were required.

Chapter conservation manager Jonna Papaefthimiou coordinated the effort by phoning and assigning signature gatherers. Residents eagerly signed, and comments were overwhelmingly positive. Many said that the ridge above Franklin Canyon Golf Course should remain natural. Others were concerned about the traffic that development would funnel through their neighborhoods and into downtown Hercules.

The initiative will rewrite the city's General Plan for the area. It will establish a 40-acre minimum parcel size with one home per parcel, restrict grading on steep slopes, and protect streams and trees. Land use will be roughly in line with the adjacent Briones Hills Agricultural Preserve.

The initiative's organizers are making plans for the ballot campaign. They need volunteers to battle the developer's deep pockets with people power. Contact the Friends of Franklin Canyon Committee through its web site at: www.ProtectFranklinCanyon.com or phone Jonna Papaefthimiou at (510) 848-0800, ext. 312; or Steve Kirby at (510) 799-9472.

Dave McCoard