HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 6ALate1 12/21/20094
From: abornstein@greenbelt.org
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 5:03 PM
To: - City Clerk
Cc: Melissa Hippard
Subject: Letter to Council for the 12.21.09 meeting, Item 6A
Attachments: Petaluma UGB Council 12.21.doc
City Clerk,
I am submitting the attached letter to Council for the December 21 Council meeting.
Thank you,
Amanda Bornstein
Amanda Bornstein
Field Representative
Greenbelt Alliance
55.5 5th Street, Suite 300 B
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-575-3661
1
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December 16, 2009
Petaluma City Council
11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Ite: Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary, Agenda Item 6A
Dear Mayor Torliatt and Councilmembers,
On behalf of Greenbelt Alliance, I am writing to express our support for putting a measure on the November 2010 ballot
asking voters to amend the General Plan 2025 to include extending the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expiration
from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2025.
On December 8, 2009 Petaluma's Planning Commission unanimously voted in favor of a UGB renewal ballot
measure. At the meeting Senior Planner Scott Duiven said that there was tremendous community support for the
Urban Growth Boundary during the General Plan update process. The City has always been in support of the policy;
78% of voters approved the measure when it first passed in 1998.
Eight of the nine cities in Sonoma County have Urban Growth Boundaries, and Petaluma is the first City to hold a
public hearing on renewing the growth management policy. This is a wonderful opportunity for Petaluma to show
leadership and set an example for the other Cities in the County.
By limiting the location of development, Petaluma's Urban Growth Boundary:
® Protects important farm lands and open space, including critical habitats for endangered species
® Helps reduce sprawl and related traffic and pollution problems
® Promotes putting resources in the urban areas near existing infrastructure and transit hubs
® Helps preserve the character and sense of place that both visitors and residence enjoy
For all these reasons, Greenbelt Alliance asks Council to vote "Yes" on item 6A to give voters the opportunity to
renew the Urban Growth Boundary.
Thank you,
Amanda Bornstein
Sonoma Field Representative