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Greenbelt Alliance endorses Redwood City Open Space Vote Measure

Friends of Redwood City and Save the Bay have sponsored a measure that would require two-thirds vote by local residents before open space lands—parks, tidal plains, and the bay front—could be converted to urban uses. Greenbelt Alliance backs this measure, which would ensure that the city directs development to appropriate areas, such as downtown, along El Camino Real and Woodside Road, while preserving adequate natural areas and parks for this growing community to enjoy. To learn more about this November ballot initiative, view the campaign page.

Developers abruptly pull out of Coyote Valley planning

In a sudden turn of events, the developers funding the Coyote Valley Specific Plan process decided to not renew their funding agreement with the City of San Jose. Citing the troubled economy, a dismal housing market and costly planning delays, the developers withdrew.

This is another victory for Greenbelt Alliance in the fight to preserve the farmlands of Coyote Valley. Greenbelt and other advocates submitted over 1,300 pages of comments on the draft environmental impact report last summer, which led to the City’s decision to re-do the report, further frustrating the developers.

The future of Coyote Valley may be folded within the ongoing larger city-wide General Plan update in San Jose. Greenbelt Alliance has a seat on the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan Task Force.

Westfield abandons mega-mall on ‘660’ in Gilroy

In a victory for Greenbelt Alliance and local advocates, the developer Westfield withdrew in early February all plans for the fertile working farms outside Gilroy’s city limits. Originally, Westfield had planned to build a mega-mall on part of the 660 acres on the east side of town. This caused the City of Gilroy to begin the East Gilroy Specific Plan process to decide land uses for the entire area.

Greenbelt Alliance and SOS-Gilroy argued that the acreage was an inappropriate place for development. Not only is the “660” in a floodplain, but it is some of Santa Clara County’s last remaining prime farmland. Also, Gilroy has recently pumped millions of dollars into its downtown—the heart of the community near the Caltrain line, and the right place for development. Westfield will instead redevelop the old Walmart site within city limits and the City has abandoned its Specific Plan process. Read Greenbelt Alliance’s letter to Gilroy here.

Campaigns in the News

For all press coverage, visit our clippings page. For individual campaigns, see list at left.

4/22/08 Housing project up for vote San Jose Mercury News

3/27/08 Planners mull land use east of U.S. 101 Morgan Hill Times

3/21/08 City isn't green without green housing Mountain View Voice

3/19/08 Developers drop plan for San Jose's Coyote Valley San Jose Mercury News