The purpose of establishing the UGB is to achieve the following community goals: efficient and orderly growth patterns; stability and certainty in long term planning; a well-designed mix of residential, commercial, business park, and open space uses; and adequate and efficient delivery of public services and facilities.

Measure N also requires the City Council to adopt a growth management program that is consistent with these community goals and with the UGB. The growth management program would plan for an average approximate one percent (1%) annual population growth rate and would coordinate growth with the availability of public services and facilities. Housing that is affordable to very low and low income households would be exempt from the growth management program.

The urban growth boundary could be amended after the year 2015, by a vote of the City Council, only in order to include lands within the UGB that would be developed primarily for low and very-low income families. In order to amend the UGB for this purpose, the City Council must make sure that the land is immediately adjacent to comparably developed areas; that there is not residentially designated land available within the UGB for this purpose; that it is not feasible to redesignate land within the UGB for this purpose; and that there has been an application submitted to provide housing for low and very-low income families.

The City of Rohnert Park's General Plan establishes an Urban Growth Boundary and requires the City Council to adopt a growth management program. The UGB established by the General Plan is identical to the UGB presented in Measure N. The growth management program in the General Plan has the same elements as the program presented in Measure N. However, if Measure N is adopted, the UGB cannot be changed without a vote of the people (except as described for low and very-low income housing after the year 2015); and the elements of the growth management program cannot be changed without a vote of the people. If Measure N is not adopted, then the UGB can be changed at any time by a majority vote of the City Council and the elements of the growth management program can be changed at any time by a majority vote of the City Council.

s/ Betsy Strauss, City Attorney

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

• Rohnert Park Measure N would put voters in charge

These are the facts! What does this mean to voters, residents of Rohnert Park? It means that upon passage of this measure, it will take your vote to undo any of these provisions. This is your guarantee that future city councils will have to abide by the balanced provisions of Measure "N". In the final analysis, this UGB is the product of a determined effort to balance loss of open space with creation of both housing and jobs, with creation of a link with our own Sonoma State University and with the creation of a permanent greenbelt around our city.

There is a plan. There are no loopholes. A vote for this UGB is a vote to control our own future. And it is a vote to bring balanced growth to this city after all these years.

s/ Vicki Vidak-Martinez, Mayor
s/ Armando F. Flores, Councilmember
s/ Jake Mackenzie, Vice Mayor
s/ Linda Spiro, Councilmember

The Sonoma County Water Agency plans to take 40% more Russian River water to accommodate growth. This plan would cost existing ratepayers $140 million. The same incumbents supporting Measure N also voted to pick our pockets by agreeing to this plan. The existing sewer ordinance also expressly requires rate payors to pay for expansion of the sewer system.

Approximately 40 million people live in California. Approximately 40,000 people live in Rohnert Park. This is one out of every thousand Californians. Measure N proposes to urbanize 1,200 acres of open space. If every community in California grew at this rate, California would lose 1.2 million acres of open space by 2020.

A vote against Measure N is a vote to protect the community separator in the County General Plan. A "no" vote also eliminates the need to pick your pocket to subsidize the water and sewer needs of developers.

Vote No on N

s/ Paul D. Stutrud, City Council Candidate
s/ John F. Hudson, Attorney/City Council Candidate

The citizens and voters of Rohnert Park have been ignored and deceived. Measure N is a sham. It underhandedly attempts to legitimize the same annexation land grab that voters defeated by a two-thirds majority in the June 1998 election (Measure A). The 1992 Grand Jury Final Report stated:

"Results from two citizen surveys paid for by the Rohnert Park taxpayers, consistently indicated the majority of the citizen's desire for limited population growth and "no annexations." The Grand Jury recommends the City of Rohnert Park refrain from expending public funds on future surveys if the results continue to be ignored by the City's elected officials and staff."

The pro-growth city council majority's claim that Rohnert Park needs to grow is fallacious. Rohnert Park does not have adequate water resources now. More growth will jeopardize our quality of life. Rohnert Park does not have sewage capacity. For many years residents have been paying for sewage plant expansion for the benefit of developers. Rohnert Park's Public Safety Department claims to be short-staffed. Rohnert Park's only high school is overcrowded. Adding 10,000 additional people will not help. Every new home that is added to Rohnert Park creates a permanent ever-increasing infrastructure expense that reduces affordability for residents.

Another initiative measure is being drafted to create a truly anti-sprawl UGB by pulling the boundaries back and repealing the General Plan amendments that comprise this growth/sprawl plan. The initiative is in the people's interest. Measure N is not.

Vote No on Measure N.

s/ Paul D. Stutrud, City Council Candidate
s/ Bonny Castelli, Instructor, N.O.M.O.C.
s/ Charles Kitchen
s/ Suzanne Chevalier
s/ John F. Hudson, Attorney/City Council Candidate

Error #1 - "The citizens of Rohnert Park have been ignored and deceived" - An extensive and thorough community involvement process directed formulation of the General Plan adopted this year. There is no deception. The UGB is just what it represents, "a line within which all urban development is to be contained".

Error #2 - "Measure N is a sham" - Measure N is exactly what it purports to be - a commitment to planned growth, establishment of a cohesive pattern of development and establishment of a greenbelt around the City.

Error #3 - "Annexation land grab... defeated in the June 1998 election" - This measure before the voters carefully links development within the UGB to stringent growth management policies. These policies will prevent any land "grabbing".

Error #4 - Resource questions raised by the opponents of this measure are themselves fallacious. The implementation plan for directing future growth has "Policies with teeth" which preclude growth without accompanying resource allocations of water and sewage treatment capacity.

Error #5 - Our opponents' arguments ignore the hard political fact that after defeat of Measure A in 1998, we on the council were told by many citizens to work together to craft a plan for this city's future growth. This measure represents our fulfillment of that commitment. It is a consensus plan hammered out on the anvil of political reality. It will work if we commit to implement it in a like manner.

Vote Yes on Measure N.

s/ Vicki Vidak-Martinez, Mayor
s/ Jake Mackenzie, Vice Mayor
s/ Armando F. Flores, Councilmember
s/ Linda Spiro, Councilmember

Section A. The People of the City of Rohnert Park hereby adopt the following amendment to the text and maps of the land use element of the General Plan of the City of Rohnert Park. It is the intent of the People of the City of Rohnert Park that Sections 1 through 4 are each part of the amendment to the General Plan adopted by this measure.

TWENTY-YEAR URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY

Section 1. Purpose and Findings.

1.1 This measure reaffirms and readopts The City of Rohnert Park's commitment to planned growth through the designation of an urban growth boundary This measure establishes the City of Rohnert Park's Urban Growth Boundary ("UGB") as depicted on the map attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A as the area within which the City generally projects that development will occur within a specified period. Until June 30, 2020, the UGB shall be changed only by a vote of the people, except in certain circumstances and according to specific procedures set forth in this measure.

1.2 Encouraging a cohesive pattern of urbanization. Adoption of a UGB will encourage a cohesive pattern of urbanization by (1) promoting efficient and orderly growth patterns; (2) supporting stability and certainty in long term planning by advancing the concept of planned growth; and (3) ensuring that lands outside the UGB are not prematurely or unnecessarily converted to urban uses.

1.3 Protecting what is unique about Rohnert Park. The City of Rohnert Park is bordered to the east and to the west by unincorporated lands that are dominated by hills, farms, and fields. This unincorporated landscape is enjoyed by the persons who work and live in Rohnert Park and forms a part of the environment of Rohnert Park even though it is outside the city limits. Adoption of a UGB will preserve and protect this aspect of Rohnert Park by requiring urbanization to stop where the unincorporated landscape begins.

1.4 This General Plan Amendment is not intended to prevent the City from meeting its obligation under state housing or zoning and planning law. The City's Housing Element, including the sites identified therein for housing, and the programs and activities adopted to promote and encourage the development of housing, will allow the City of Rohnert Park to meet its obligations for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. This measure establishing a UGB is consistent with the objectives of the City's Housing Element and with the other mandatory elements of the City's General Plan. It is fully expected that the policies and programs in the City's Housing Element, including the sites identified therein for housing, will allow the City of Rohnert Park to meet the requirements of State law to provide housing opportunities for all economic segments of the community. This measure allows the City Council to bring land into the UGB without a public vote for very low and low income housing only, in recognition of the fact that sometimes it is necessary for a local government to take special steps to provide opportunities for very low and low income housing.

1.5 The UGB outlines the area within which the City generally projects that development will occur within the next twenty years. However, the General Plan of the City of Rohnert Park Growth Management Policies prohibit growth from commencing, if the necessary public facilities - streets, water, wastewater, solid waste, and parks - are not in place when the growth is completed. In addition, the General Plan of the City of Rohnert Park Specific Plan Policies require that new growth will not be permitted unless and until the specific plan for the area in which the growth is proposed, has been adopted.

Section 2. Establishing the Urban Growth Boundary.

The following policies shall apply to the Urban Growth Boundary:

2.1 No urban development shall be permitted beyond the Urban Growth Boundary. "Urban development" shall mean development requiring one or more basic municipal services including, but not limited to, water service, sewer, improved storm drainage facilities, fire hydrants and other physical public facilities and services; provided, however, that open space uses, parks, agricultural uses, community fields and golf courses beyond the Urban Growth Boundary that are provided with municipal or public services, shall not be defined as "urban development."

2.2 The Urban Growth Boundary shall be in effect until June 30, 2020.

2.3 The Urban Growth Boundary may be amended only by a vote of the people or as provided for in Section 2.4.

2.4 The Urban Growth Boundary may be amended by a majority vote (three affirmative votes) of the City Council under the following circumstances:

2.4.1 Affordable Housing. To comply with state law regarding the provision of housing for low and very-low income families, the City Council may amend the Urban Growth Boundary in order to include within the UGB, lands to be developed primarily (51%) for low and very-low income families provided, however:

(a) An amendment to the UGB pursuant to this Section 2.4.1 may not be made earlier than January 1, 2015;

(b) No more than 10 acres may be brought into the UGB in any calendar year;

(c) If in any year, fewer than 10 acres are brought within the UGB, then the unused increment, up to a maximum of 5 acres, may be brought within the UGB in a subsequent year;

(d) Such amendment may be adopted only if the City Council makes each of the following findings:

(i)That the land is immediately adjacent to comparably developed areas;

(ii) That there is no existing residentially designated land available within the UGB that can feasibly accommodate the proposed development;

(iii)That it is not reasonably feasible to accommodate the proposed development by redesignating lands within the UGB for housing;

(iv) That there has been an application submitted to provide housing primarily for low and very-low income families, and the applicant has provided substantial evidence that sufficient and adequate capacity is available in all city services and facilities, all school district facilities, and any other relevant public agency facilities, to accommodate the proposed development.

(v) That the application to provide housing primarily for low and very low income families is consistent with GM-4 in General Plan 2000.

For purposes of this section, the concept of "feasibility" shall include considerations of market feasibility, environmental feasibility, and other rules and regulations affecting the development of the property.

2.4.2 To adjust the UGB exclusively for the purpose of protecting agricultural or open space lands.

2.4.3 To add lands exclusively to protect natural resources.

2.4.4 To add lands exclusively to be maintained as public parks or public open space.

2.4.5 To add lands to provide exclusively for the disposal of treated wastewater and/or sewage treatment and disposal use.

2.5 This General Plan Amendment is not intended, and shall not be applied or construed, to authorize the City to exercise its powers in a manner which will take private property for public use without the payment of just compensation. This General Plan Amendment will be interpreted, applied and implemented so as to accomplish its purposes to the maximum permissible extent, by all constitutional means. If the application of this General Plan Amendment to a specific property would take private property for public use without the payment of just compensation ("taking"), then the City Council may take any action necessary to avoid a taking.

2.6 This General Plan Amendment is not intended, and shall not apply to any development project that has obtained as of the effective date of this resolution, a vested right pursuant to state law.

Section 3. Amending the General Plan to Manage Growth within the Urban Growth Boundary.

3.1 The UGB establishes the area within which urban development will be contained until the year 2020. This limitation restricts development to lands within the UGB. Such restriction is necessary to implement and to be consistent with the following community goals:

3. 1. 1 Efficient and orderly growth patterns.

3.1.2 A well-designed mix of residential, commercial, business park, and open space uses, featuring a pedestrian-oriented community focal point with a small town, village-like character.

3.1.3 Stability and certainty in long term planning through planned growth.

3.1.4 Adequate and efficient delivery of public services and facilities.

3.2 In order to manage development within the UGB in a manner that is consistent with these community goals, a growth management program shall be adopted that includes each of the following components:

3.2.1 An annual standard to determine the number of residential development approvals that are consistent with the goals and policies of the City's General Plan.

3.2.2 A requirement to implement the growth management program, including the annual standard in a manner that is consistent with the goals, objectives, obligations and policies of the City's Land Use and Housing Elements.

3.2.3 An average approximate one percent (1%) annual population growth rate.

3.2.4 An annual review by the City Council to determine the consistency of each of the components of the growth management program with the goals, plans, and policies of the General Plan and State housing, planning, and zoning law.

3.2.5 A requirement to coordinate the development in each of the specific plan areas with the growth management ordinance.

Housing that is affordable to very low and low income households shall be exempt from the growth management program.

Section 4. Conforming General Plan Amendments.

4.1 Land Use Map Amendments. The General Plan Land Use Map of the City of Rohnert Park, adopted December 12, 1995 (as amended through June 2, 1998), is amended to depict the Urban Growth Boundary as follows:

4.1.1 Amend the "Map Legend" by adding the term "20 Year Urban Growth

Boundary."

4.1.2 Amend the General Plan Land Use Map by adding a line designating the 20 Year Urban Growth Boundary as depicted on Exhibit A to this ordinance and as confirmed by the metes and bounds description provided on Exhibit B to this ordinance.

4.2 Land Use Element Text Amendments. The Land Use Element of the City of Rohnert Park adopted December 12, 1995, is amended as follows:

4.2.1 Amend Section 2.17, page 2:27 to add a definition of "20 Year Urban Growth Boundary" (Definition 15) to read as follows:

20 YEAR URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY
This is the area within which urban development will be contained over the period 2000 to 2020.

4.2.2 Amend Section 2.18, page 2:29, Policy No. 2 by adding the language that is underlined:

Areas in the City Planning area, outside the Urban Growth Boundary, should be maintained in agricultural and open space uses consistent with the land use designation in the Sonoma County General Plan.

4.3 If the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park approves a resolution adopting General Plan 2000 for the City of Rohnert Park, on or before the effective date of the ballot measure adopting these amendments to the general plan, then the amendments made by this Section 4 to the 1995 General Plan shall be made to the corresponding appropriate sections and pages of General Plan 2000.

Section 5. If the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park approves a resolution adopting General Plan 2000 for the City of Rohnert Park, on or before the effective date of the ballot measure adopting these amendments, then Sections I - 3 of this Ordinance shall replace Policy GM (Growth Management) - 2 of General Plan 2000 in its entirety.

Section 6. Amendment or Repeal. Except as otherwise provided herein, no part of this General Plan Amendment may be amended or repealed except by a vote of the voters of the City of Rohnert Park at a regularly scheduled general election or at a special election called for that purpose.

Section B. Interpretation. This measure shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. This measure shall be broadly construed and interpreted in order to achieve the purposes stated herein.

Section C. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect November 8, 2000 if a majority of the voters, voting on the resolution, vote in favor of its adoption at the general municipal election to be held on November 7, 2000. Upon the effective date of this ordinance, the provisions of Sections 1 through 4 of Section A are hereby inserted into the General Plan of the City of Rohnert Park as an amendment thereof. At such time as this general plan amendment is inserted into the City of Rohnert Park General Plan, any provisions of the City of Rohnert Park Zoning Ordinance or any other ordinances of the City of Rohnert Park inconsistent with this general plan amendment, shall not be enforced.

Section D. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution. The voters hereby declare that they would have passed and adopted this resolution, and each and all provisions hereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more of the provisions, either alone or as applied in connection with other provisions, may be declared invalid.

Exhibits are available in the Voter Information Pamphlet