[News] Voter Initiative

[Tem Tarriktar]

This is a must-read item from CCAT...
--Tem

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "CCAT" <ccat-members at usa.net>
> Date: April 1, 2008 2:13:20 PM PDT
> To: "General Mailbox*" <ccat-members at usa.net>
> Subject: Voter Initiative
>
> Dear Supporters:
>
> We are proud to announce our support of a voter initiative to  
> manage growth in Grass Valley!
>
> We will be joining many groups and community members in gathering  
> signatures to place a measure on the ballot which would ratify the  
> Grass Valley General Plan Land Use Element and Land Use Map.  The  
> effect would be that any new development projects approved by the  
> City Council which exceed the existing general plan blueprint for  
> growth would require voter approval to go forward once the measure  
> is adopted.
>
> The measure would affect land within city limits and new areas  
> being annexed. For instance, since the Idaho-Maryland Mine re- 
> opening requires a General Plan amendment and zone change, the  
> voters would be allowed to vote on the proposal.
>
> This is something we have talked about for many years, but it seems  
> critical at this time since recent decisions by the City Council  
> make it clear that the City may allow a much larger population  
> growth than agreed to when the general plan blueprint was adopted.
>
> We will be calling on you in upcoming weeks to help gather  
> signatures and raise funds!  This will be a monumental effort and  
> we will need your help!
>
> (We have attached the press release that will go out today, below.)
>
> Thank you in advance!
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> P R E S S   R E L E A S E
>
> Grass Valley Managed Growth
>
> Voter Initiative Launched
>
> Embargo to:  Tuesday, April 2, 2008  4 p.m.
>
> Contact:  Grant Cattaneo, 477-8458
>
> Friends of Grass Valley, announced plans today to qualify a Managed  
> Growth Initiative ballot measure to be placed before Grass Valley  
> voters.  The initiative asks voters to ratify the Grass Valley  
> General Plan Land Use Element and Map, which details growth,  
> zoning, and population within in the city.  The purpose of the  
> initiative is to prevent over development.  Any new development  
> projects approved by the City Council which exceed the existing  
> general plan blueprint for growth would require voter approval to  
> go forward once the measure is adopted.   The initiative would  
> affect land within city limits and new areas being annexed.
>
> Friends of Grass Valley is a newly formed campaign committee.  The  
> Notice of Intent to circulate the petitions was signed by Grass  
> Valley residents Sharon Boivin,  Grant Cattaneo,  and Dot Kain.   
> Citizens Concerned About Traffic (CCAT) and the Rural Quality  
> Coalition (RQC) have also endorsed the measure.
>
> Grant Cattaneo, of Citizens Concerned About Traffic (CCAT), which  
> supports the initiative said:  “We are only asking that the City  
> Council be required to follow the general plan that it adopted.   
> The general plan already allows a reasonable amount growth.  In  
> fact, under current General Plan guidelines when built out the City  
> would have a population of 25,000, more than twice the current  
> population.  Yet, recent decisions by the City Council make it  
> clear that the City may allow a much larger population growth than  
> agreed to when the general plan blueprint was adopted.  We believe  
> that the City Council should be required to adhere to its “land use  
> constitution” and keep its promises to our residents.”
>
> “We trust the people of Grass Valley to make the right decision.”
>
> “Grass Valley residents stated clearly in the 2006 city sponsored  
> poll that their top two concerns are too much development and  
> traffic congestion.  Today Grass Valley’s small town character and  
> sense of community are threatened by increased traffic congestion,  
> deteriorating roadways, a highly challenged sewage treatment  
> system, and air quality deterioration.”
>
> The wording of the initiative and a Notice of Intent to circulate  
> petitions was filed today with the City of Grass Valley.  It is  
> expected that signature gathering will begin in about 2 weeks.
>
>
> DRIVE SLOWER - - LIVE LONGER
>
> CCAT
> Remember:  CCAT's website www.ccatnc.org
>
>
>
>

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