A Democratic-elected Board last night voted for sprawl. They did the job that the previous board under Corey Stewart couldn’t accomplish for years.
They say they are selling “equity.” There is no equity in what they approved. True smart growth principles serve to protect citizens – they are not for the purpose of accommodating developers. How equitable is it to put money, and control of our quality of life, in the hands of large lot developers?
Supervisors Vega, Lawson, and Candland are to be thanked for standing by their word and voting with integrity for denial. But they, and we, didn’t see accountability from the rest. Citizens brought truth, facts and figures to the table. They were met with obfuscation.
Board Chair Wheeler last night chastised us for our “manufactured outrage” and told us amongst other things: “What we are doing…Western end rural area exclusionary zoning…is not working. It doesn’t give us proffers… changes are coming. We have to find industrial and commercial land somewhere.”
This vote will change our communities. An important PWC climate advocate outlined how this development will contribute to climate change, going directly against the Climate Resolution this board just passed in November. She said: “The first major development of 2021 will set the tone to how we move forward as a county and whether this board will provide only lip service to this resolution, or actually walk the talk. The Preserve at Long Branch will maximize greenhouse gas emissions and will represent another step away from the climate goals that you set. The Board must prioritize growth, and walkable, live, work, and play communities and activity centers. I ask that your action reflect your commitment.”
Don’t be fooled – Their big lie is that development is only happening in the Eastern end. The truth is that 52% of development over the last 10 years has been in the Western end of the county.
As Supervisor Candland pointed out: “Feedback is ignored from the community. This project brought the community together – Republicans and Democrats – opposing this project. Because they believe in the Rural Crescent.”
We must now be prepared for many challenges to the Rural Crescent and the protections it provides to the entire county.