Ballot Measures - Clayton 2000

By Julie Pierce

Clayton has three measures, O, P and Q, on the November ballot. Below is the ballot language as well as my positions on these measures. Measure L for Libraries is a Countywide ballot measure which will have significant impacts on Clayton's library.

Measure "O" asks Clayton voters: "Shall the initiative be adopted to amend the Clayton General Plan to require voter approval for specified land use decisions involving ten or more dwelling units, conversion of more than two acres of contiguous open space to non-open space uses, and for proposed commercial developments involving 1,000 square feet of gross floor area or more?"

I strongly oppose Measure "O."

Clayton needs to be pro-active in the economic development of our historic downtown. The defeat of Measure "O" will be critical. At risk is whether Clayton's historic downtown will be allowed to develop into the small, but vibrant town center of small shops and services that would serve the residents of Clayton and improve property values or whether it will remain stagnant and underutilized.

Passage of Measure "O" would bring a screeching halt to any hope of future economic development in downtown Clayton. While this measure is a virtual copy of those CAPP-type measures defeated in San Ramon, Pleasanton and Livermore last March, this one has been written to also require voter approval of any commercial building in excess of 1000 square feet.

As an example of the impact of this requirement, the historic building in which La Cocotte Restaurant is located is 2000 square feet. Under Measure "O", a vote would be required for its approval. In addition to the costs of the regular planning process, a potential business venture would also need to pay for a special election to determine if the citizens approve the project.

Measure "O" is unfriendly to new business. Instead of a vibrant town center of small shops and services, this Measure would result in a decline in our commercial and residential property values.

Clayton Councils and Planning Commissions, past and present, have worked diligently to prepare the historic downtown for careful development with the renovations of Main Street and Marsh Creek Road a few years ago and upcoming Center Street improvements. Many long-time property owners have waited for years for the opportunity to develop their property in downtown. The recession is in the past, the infrastructure is in place - the time is now to provide carefully planned and needed services to Clayton citizens. We must Vote NO on Measure "O."

Measures P and Q

Measures "P", an excise tax to augment the general fund, and "Q", an advisory measure regarding whether "the grove" property should be all or partially developed as a park, will help determine the appearance of downtown Clayton.

Measure "Q" asks Clayton voters, "Do you want "The Grove" property (the one-acre parcel in the downtown on Marsh Creek Road between Main and Center Streets) to be developed as a one-acre town park at a cost of approximately $150,000 per year to include construction and maintenance costs and to be paid from any new General fund tax revenues?"

Measure "P" asks Clayton voters, "Shall an ordinance be enacted which will authorize the City Council to impose an excise tax on the use of gas and electricity by residents and businesses, for general government purposes and to be deposited in the City's general fund, at a rate of 2.4% per billing period."

My only concern about Measure Q and committing to a full-acre park in our downtown is whether we currently have enough customer-use of our current "downtown" to make it a viable park.

I believe that an acre of park at the "Grove" will be viable when we have more businesses in our downtown. In lieu of a tax, I would prefer to have a downtown merchant's association help fund the development and maintenance of "the Grove" park.

We should enforce our Town Center Specific Plan standards and focus the remaining commercial development in the existing historic business area. I believe we should solicit proposals from commercial experts and involve the community extensively in developing a comprehensive plan of the commercial opportunities in downtown. This would help property owners plan for the ultimate use of their properties.

I strongly encouraged my colleagues to undertake this full community planning process. Indeed, I voted against placing Measure P, the utility tax, on the ballot at this time for that reason.

The City does need additional General Fund revenues and this money could be used for any general fund purpose, including additional police officers and maintenance workers. Clearly, though, the intent is to provide funding to offset potential costs incurred by development of The Grove Park.

This is not an issue of Parks vs. Commercial - it's a question of what is the best balance for our downtown, how it should be planned, and how it should be funded.

Yes for Libraries! 2000 - Measure "L"

At the county level, it is vital to our Clayton Community Library that Measure "L" be passed to adequately fund library services for children & seniors, but additional materials, and provide more hours for all our citizens.

Clayton's library is just one branch of the total Countywide library system. As one of many local elected officials who care about the quality of our library services, last year I helped organize a large coalition of concerned citizens who are actively working to preserve and enhance our library system. The current lack of adequate funding undermines the system's ability to provide books and services to Clayton residents. Through the addition of a 1/8th of a penny sales tax, the passage of Measure L would:

• allow Clayton's library to be open 54 hours per week,
• double our books and materials budget,
• increase access to computers and technology,
• help defray the on-going maintenance expenses which the city pays in full.
• expand our reference and information resources, and
• provide additional services and programs for children and seniors and small businesses.

There are many other issues on the ballot this November which will impact Clayton and our residents in various ways.

Please be sure to make your opinions heard.

Please VOTE on November 7th!