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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

October 21, 2005

Opponents do battle on Livermore growth

"Unfortunately, the opposition has waged a campaign of misinformation," Pardee representative Carlene Matchniff said during the debate, sponsored by Tri-Valley Community TV 30.

Despite what Pardee critics contend, Matchniff said Livermore needs a third high school, for which Pardee would provide the land. And she disputed claims that the 130-acre sports park Pardee would give to the community would leave the park district with operational deficits.

But City Council candidate John Marchand, on a panel opposing Pardee, said the proposed Livermore Trails project would be costly to taxpayers and worsen traffic congestion.

"Measure D is an experiment and Livermore is the guinea pig," Marchand said. "Developers are hoping for a new era where they can change zoning by buying elections."

Voter approval is required for any urban development north of Livermore city limits, thanks to Alameda County's successful Measure D open space initiative approved by county voters in 2000, and to Livermore's subsequent growth boundary addressing city annexations. It was adopted by the slow-growth City Council majority after qualifying for the ballot with more than twice the required 3,700 signatures.

Pardee qualified its proposed development for the ballot with some 9,500 petition signatures.

Others debating for Pardee were Chamber of Commerce President Jim Ott and school board member Bill Morrison. Joining Marchand in opposition were Councilman Tom Reitter, along with David Reid of the Greenbelt Alliance.

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