Board of Supervisors Testimony
Urban Limit Line
09/14/99
Our position continues to be against an arbitrary line as a means to limit urban growth. There are far too many other ways agriculture and open space can be preserved. Many of which were presented to you during the Ad Hoc process. The Williamson Act, Agriculture Land Trusts, Conservation Easements, are all ways to reimburse the landowner for the use of his property rights. The few need to be compensated for the benefit of the many.
If you are going to preserve ag then it must be done in a manner which will sustain agriculture's viability in the county-not make it viewshed for urban dwellers. There are several acres of this proposal that include marginal land, yet the best ground is being developed. There are other parts that are no longer in the irrigation district-yet they are to be preserved? In order to have viable agriculture a main ingredient must be fertile soil and water.
We must also have a market for our products. If as a community we want to preserve agriculture, then we must make the commitment to buying locally grown products, and paying what they are worth.
We continue to be told this is a quality of life issue. If that is the case, then who's? The taking of private property rights is no quality of life for the landowner. We have far too many ways to limit growth other than an arbitrary line. If it is a "Quality of Life' issue lets make sure that everyone's quality of life is considered-including the landowner and compensate them for their contributions.
5554 Clayton Road Concord CA 94521 (925) 672-5115 cccfb@value.net