Santa Cruz County Elections

June 9, 1999 Special District Election

Measure P Question:

Shall Resolution No. 1119.16 of the City of Scotts Valley approving an amendment to the General Plan for the "Glenwood Project" be adopted?

Measure P is a referendum against the adoption of Resolution No. 1119.16 which approved an amendment to the general plan for the City of Scotts Valley which allowed for the development of what is known as the "Glenwood Project" in the City of Scotts Valley. A "Yes" vote by a majority of those voting means that Resolution No. 1119.16 shall go into effect. A "No" vote by a majority of those voting means that Resolution No. 1119.16 shall not be adopted.

s/ Robert J. Logan

City Attorney

City of Scotts Valley

Every Scotts Valley resident will benefit from approval of the Glenwood Project. The Planning Commission, City Council and interested citizens worked to produce a Plan that preserves our town's rural character and pays for infrastructure and services that support a new neighborhood.

*The majority of the Glenwood Property (70% of the 200 acre site) will be available for all Scotts Valley residents to enjoy, including 4 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails.

*Recycled water will be used for outdoor irrigation, reducing the project's consumption by 2/3rds.

*The project pays to convert Scotts Valley's largest water users to recycled water, reducing ground water pumping by 45 million gallons/year.

*A recent City-funded study found our retail sector needs a boost.

*New project residents will spend millions/year in Scotts Valley.

*10 acre addition to Siltanen Park; 4 new ballfields for soccer, softball, t-ball and little league.

*$725,000 for recreation improvements city-wide.

*$1.3 million for new construction District-wide.

*$400,000 per year to support programs and teachers.

*$1 million to revamp the Glenwood/SV Drive intersection.

*$325,000 for new police personnel and equipment.

*A fiscal analysis concluded the project pays for itself, through up front financial commitments and on-going net revenues to the City.

These benefits address current needs that our City budget does not cover. Without the project, the burden will fall on taxpayers.

The Plan proves it is possible to expand our supply of housing without sacrificing our town's unique character.

We urge you to vote Yes on P.

s/ Bart Cavallaro, Councilmember, City of Scotts Valley, Former Mayor

s/ Vernon Hart, 98' SV. Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, Parks & Recreation Commissioner

s/ Pam Lawson, 1998 Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year

s/ Peggie Lopez, Former Mayor

s/ Rey Retzlaff, Former Mayor

Several facts merit clarification:

SIZE: What proponents misleadingly call a "reduction" to 145 units involved the addition of an entire high school. Altogether, this project is much larger than any previously proposed. It would nearly double allowable housing densities.

SHAPE: Rather than focusing growth, this project spreads across the community’s last open space. And rather than clustering development at one end, it stretches around the entire site. We accurately call this "urban sprawl." It is the most destructive type of development — typical of Los Angeles, but totally inappropriate for Scotts Valley.

COST: The developer’s lure of fast cash is like a high-interest credit card. He pays one-time fees, but we pay to service the development forever. Costs to taxpayers will be over $118,000 annually. The most recent fiscal analysis concludes that the project would create a net deficit, potentially forcing the city to cut services or raise taxes. HEG Economics states:

"...taking the project as proposed, there is absolutely no credible fiscal argument that one can make in its favor."

SCHOOLS: Development fees don’t change the fact that the project will increase school overcrowding. That’s one reason many teachers and parents oppose this measure.

WATER: Scotts Valley Water District Director Rick Maday states:

"This project’s water consumption is NOT insignificant. Additionally, prime recharge areas will be paved over. Retrofit of existing businesses will happen regardless of this project, and cannot be counted against this impact. Combined with other developments, the ultimate result could be rationing."

Please vote NO on Measure P.

s/ Stephany E. Aguilar

Scotts Valley City Council Member, former Mayor

s/ Sheryl Ainsworth

Scotts Valley City Council Member, President Scotts Valley Educational Foundation 1996-1998

s/ Nick Van Bruggen

Save Scotts Valley

s/ Grace M. Sanchez

Parent, Scotts Valley Unified School District Curriculum Council

s/ Katherine Bagley

Teacher, Brook Knoll Elementary

So many California communities have sacrificed themselves to urban sprawl. Must we do the same? One reason many of us live here is because of the area’s unique beauty and character. Must we trade that in for the developer’s promises? We can fund city needs without selling out to bad development and without saddling ourselves with long-term financial burdens. We can insist on thoughtful, reasonable development rather than giving in to huge projects that destroy our quality of life.

Scotts Valley is growing quickly. We look forward to new commerce on Scotts Valley Drive and in our new downtown, as well as hundreds of new houses throughout the city. But must we sacrifice every last part of the community, including our very last open space, to development? Must we punish ourselves with traffic gridlock, water shortages, and long-term financial strains?

Anyone who has seen the plans knows that this project would completely surround the Glenwood meadow with tract housing. Rather than clustering development at one end, the developer would completely destroy the area’s rural character. This is totally unnecessary. We can require a much smaller development, or can seek grants to acquire the land as a public park — with hiking trails, playing fields and open space for all. Assemblymember Fred Keeley, the County Land Trust and others have promised to help if O and P are defeated.

Let’s not follow in the footsteps of Fresno or San Jose. Let’s keep Scotts Valley a beautiful, unique community. A healthy place to live, work, and raise children. A place where there’s more than pavement to look at. Where we come together to protect what we treasure. This is our last open space, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Please: if you care about the beauty, character, and integrity of Scotts Valley, vote NO on Measure P.

s/ Nick Van Bruggen, Save Scotts Valley

s/ Katherine Bagley, Teacher, Brook Knoll Elementary

s/ Grace M. Sanchez, Parent, Scotts Valley Unified School District Curriculum Council

s/ Sheryl Ainsworth, Scotts Valley City Council Member, President Scotts Valley Educational Foundation 1996-1998

s/ Stephany E. Aguilar, Scotts Valley City Council Member, former Mayor

How can the Glenwood project, which preserves (70%) of the 200 acre site for permanent, public open space, be "urban sprawl"?

How can the Glenwood project -- which has been zoned for housing for 30 years and is currently neighbored by existing housing, Vine Hill School, Siltanen Park, and now the new High School -- be "urban sprawl"?

How can the project, which specifically preserves 150 acres, including riparian habitat, a mature redwood forest, Santos pond and its natural surroundings be "urban sprawl"?

How can the project, which devotes 10 acres to new park land and ball fields and includes 4 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, be "urban sprawl"?

Glenwood isn't urban sprawl. It's simply easier to argue it is than to examine the specific facts of the plan.

It's easier to raise false hopes that the state or a Land Trust will appear with millions in hand to buy the land than to admit that, after ten years, no such offer has ever been made.

It's easier to raise the threat of "traffic gridlock, water shortages and financial strains" than to study the $1.4 million in traffic improvements, the innovative water recycling program, or the other $6 million in infrastructure investments.

The Plan is environmentally sensitive and financially responsible. Future generations will enjoy the benefits of preservation and sound planning. The Glenwood Plan is the result of hard work and creative thinking. It deserves our support.

Please join us in voting "Yes on P" on June 8th.

s/ Bart Cavallaro

City Council member and former Mayor

s/ Rey Retzlaff

Former Mayor

s/ Vernon Hart

1998 Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year

s/ Pam Lawson

1998 Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce "Woman of the Year"

s/ Peggie Lopez

Former Mayor