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Home August 2005 |
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Greenbelt Newswire
In this edition
Volunteer of the Month: John Chapman John Chapman joined our Board of Directors in 2003. From the beginning, he has been an energetic, knowledgeable, and committed supporter of Greenbelt Alliance. Originally from England, but a longtime resident of the Bay Area, John has been an advocate of smart growth and open space protection for many years. It was Greenbelt Alliance's work on these same issues that attracted him to our governing body. Since joining the Board, John has been active with Greenbelt Alliance's policy campaigns and fundraising endeavors, especially in the East Bay. He currently serves on the Board Affairs Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Policy Committee, and is chair of a new task force on infill development. "He brings a depth of knowledge about livable communities in the Bay Area and across the nation," says Executive Director, Tom Steinbach. But his approach is more than theoretical: "John is willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done." Thank you for your continued dedication, John!
Announcement: Major Victory for Bay Area Transportation and Housing What if all the Bay Area's transit stations were surrounded by vibrant, compact neighborhoods, making it easy to walk to the train or bus station? More people would take transit, reducing traffic and air pollution—and more people would live within towns, reducing pressure to build on natural areas. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has moved to make this vision a reality. On July 27, MTC—our regional transportation agency—adopted a Regional Transit Oriented Development Policy that says new transit projects will not be funded until cities plan for homes in a pedestrian- and bike-oriented design around new stations. This cutting-edge decision will ensure that $8.7 billion is invested in a way that will make new transit work. Greenbelt Alliance has been advocating for this policy for the past year. Together with the Transportation and Land Use Coalition and Non-Profit Housing Association, we educated MTC Commissioners and organized activists to send letters recommending a strong policy. Thanks to all who helped this effort! In the coming months and years Greenbelt Alliance will push for great plans around stations, so the region can add new homes while creating an effective transit system. ACTION: Contact MTC Commissioners and thank them for passing a transit-oriented development policy. Find your Commissioner's information at http://www.mtc.ca.gov/about_mtc/commphot.htm.
Announcement: Gilroy Fails to Join Open Space Authority Gilroy is the only city in Santa Clara County that is not a member of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. The Open Space Authority, like the East Bay Parks District and other open space districts around the Bay Area, purchases and protects local natural areas. Unfortunately, it appears Gilroy is not going to join the district and enjoy the benefits any time soon. In July, Gilroy's City Council decided not to put a measure on the November ballot to join the district by approving a $32 parcel tax. Eighty percent of the funds raised from the tax would have gone to the Open Space Authority to purchase open space lands in Santa Clara—including significant areas just outside Gilroy. Twenty percent would have gone to the city to improve parks and trails. Gilroy's refusal to support the protection of scenic lands around the city is a disappointment, but local advocates will continue to work toward more controlled growth and more open space protection in the far South Bay.
Update: Sprawl Initiatives on November's East Bay Ballots Sprawl developers are attempting to open up thousands of acres of East Bay land to development. To do this, they're drawing giant urban growth boundaries around currently protected hillsides and farmlands they'd like to develop. Now developer-sponsored initiatives have made it onto this November's ballots in Antioch, Brentwood, and Pittsburg. Also on the November ballot is an attempt by Pardee Homes to expand Livermore's urban growth boundary and pave protected lands north of the city. Defeating these initiatives is a major campaign for Greenbelt Alliance and our allies in the East Bay, and will require the energy and commitment of many local volunteers. Help keep the bulldozers out of the East Bay's productive farmlands, oak woodlands, and rolling hills! Contact David Reid, East Bay Field Representative, to get involved.
Events: Upcoming Urban Outings in San Jose and Concord Greenbelt Alliance's Urban Outings are walking tours of cities and towns that help show what "smart growth" is really about. On the tours, first, experts talk about the concepts of pedestrian-friendly design, mixed-use development, and more, and give the participants some local context about what's going on in the city we're in. Then we all walk around and see some real examples, highlighting good design as well as opportunities for revitalization. Join us for our upcoming Urban Outings: Concord: The outings are free and open to the public. Please RSVP to 415-543-6771 or email Julie Cummins.
Event: Building More Affordable Homes in Contra Costa County Contra Costa County is growing fast, but the new homes are too expensive for many, forcing people to look further and further out for homes they can afford. This lengthens commutes and puts development pressure on remote open space. The County can take steps—like adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance—to make sure new developments include homes more people can afford. Find out how you can encourage the County to create more homes that more people can afford and make Contra Costa a better place to live. Come to a training on housing: Saturday, September 24th, 12:00-2:00pm Please RSVP to Kate O'Hara by email or call 415-543-6771. Sponsored by: Greenbelt Alliance, Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Catholic Housing Initiative, Contra Costa ACORN, Diablo Valley League of Women Voters, East Bay Housing Organizations, and Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California.
Event: Public Forum—Accountable Development at Railroad Square Learn about accountable development on the Railroad Square SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) Railroad Depot Property. Accountable development is a new citizens' movement that promotes the use of public funds to encourage smart growth, mass transit, affordable housing, environmental quality, and equitable economic development. Come to a public forum: Keynote Speaker: Julian Gross, nationally recognized community benefits expert from California Partnership for Working Families. Guest Panelists: Mike Kerns (Sonoma County Supervisor, SMART board); Mike Healy (Petaluma City Council, SMART board); Craig Litwin (Sebastopol City Council, SCCA); Marty Bennett (NEWS); Bill Scott (Building Trades Council); Tim Frank (Sierra Club); Sabrina Ross (Housing Advocacy Group) Sponsored by: Greenbelt Alliance, New Economy Working Solutions (NEWS), Living Wage Coalition (LWC), Sonoma County Conservation Action (SCCA), Housing Advocacy Group, Sierra Club, North Bay Labor Council, Building Trades Council, Concerned Citizens of Santa Rosa, Friends of SMART, Leadership Institute, Coalition for a Better Sonoma County, Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Building and Construction Trades Council.
Sat Sep 3: Permaculture in Bolinas Click here
for recent press coverage of Greenbelt Alliance's work Become a Member or Renew Your Membership Support our work to protect the Bay Area's open space and make our cities better places to live. Click here to join or renew, or click here to join our Greenbelt Guardian monthly donor club. Questions? Contact Melissa Wright at 415-543-6771 or mwright@greenbelt.org.
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