VOTE NO ON MEASURE F! (THE CAPP INITIATIVE)

By Bob Patrino

San Ramon Planning Commission Vice - Chair Michael DiGeronimo provides a common sense look at Measure F.

Measure F contains a giant loophole that allows construction of affordable or low-income housing (i.e. overly dense housing) without voter approval even if the project will require a zoning change or general plan amendment. The only limitation is that such projects must be "city sponsored," a term so vague that any "affordable or low income project" voted on favorably by the City Council may qualify as being exempt from Measure F. With the large number of additional rental units already being built, do we really want future development in the City to be limited almost entirely to low-cost housing?

Measure F, if passed, would do nothing to stop development in unincorporated areas of the County located adjacent to or near the City limits. Measure F will push developers to have their projects approved by the County. The City would loss all control over such development and would have to rely on the County to stop or limit unwanted development, the same County that approved the 11,000 housing project in the Dougherty Valley.

Measure F Will Result In A Loss of Valuable Tax Revenue And Development Fees To The City: The City lost approximately 40 million dollars in development fees, which were paid to the County, when the land use approvals were granted by the County for Dougherty Valley. Such fees could have been used by the City to acquire property for more parks and, open space. Measure F will allow such revenue losses to occur on a regular basis as County property is developed around the City. (The residents of such County approved developments will, of course, use the City's parks and other amenities without having to pay a cent for this privilege.)

Measure F Constitutes Ballot Box Planning At Its Worse: Measure F does not require that projects presented to the voters be subject to the extensive planning and environmental review that is required for most major developments. Rather, Measure F, if passed, would create a system where developer's political consultants, and not professional planners, direct what information voters receive about a project before deciding whether to approve or reject it.

If Passed Measure F Will Adversely Affect The Local Economy and Drive Jobs Elsewhere: Measure F has been promoted as way to stop unwanted housing development. Yet, Measure F also places building limitations on commercial, retail, manufacturing, and office projects. We don't need an initiative like Measure F that could drive jobs away from the City.

VOTE NO ON MEASURE F; IT SIMPLY MAKES NO SENSE