VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

MShall Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of Ordinance No. 16-ZC-190 of the City of Scotts Valley adopted by the City Council approving the specific plan amendment and development agreement for

the “Glenwood Residential Project located on the east and west sides of Glenwood Drive, north of Casa Way (APN 23-241-09,14)” be adopted?

See following pages for arguments.

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY CITY ATTORNEY

CITY OF SCOTTS VALLEY MEASURE M

Measure M is a referendum challenging Sections 1 through 4 and 6 through 8 of Ordinance No. 16-ZC-190 which was adopted by the Scotts Valley City Council.  The challenged portions approved a specific plan and a development agreement for the “Glenwood Residential Project” which is generally located on the east and west sides of Glenwood Drive north of Casa Way (APN Nos. 23-241-09 and 23-241-14) authorizing 49 residential lots on 11.01 acres, a 1.62 acre reserve parcel zoned for residential uses dedicated to the City, a 7.3 acre park parcel and approximately 160 acres of open space.   A “Yes” vote by a majority of those voting means that Sections 1 through 4 and 6 through 8 of Ordinance No. 16-ZC-190 shall go into effect.  A “No” vote by a majority of those voting means that Sections 1 through 4 and 6 through 8 of Ordinance No. 16-ZC-190 shall not be adopted.

s/ Robert J. Logan

City Attorney

City of Scotts Valley

 

 

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure M.

If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the Scotts Valley City Clerk’s Office at 831-440-5602 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

 

 

 

                                                                             

 

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE M

After nearly five years of constructive dialogue, dozens of public hearings, and two years of good faith negotiation between the City and the property owner, Scotts Valley has reached a fair and reasonable compromise on the Glenwood property.  We believe this carefully considered plan deserves your support.

The property owner has listened carefully to our concerns and dramatically scaled back their project by more than two-thirds, from 145 to 49 homes clustered in the least environmentally sensitive portion of the property.  Their current proposal not only accomplishes the community’s primary directive to preserve open space, but also incorporates other benefits for our community. 

The scaled down plan:

·    Clusters 44 houses on 11 acres across from the high school (approximately 5% of the land);

·    Preserves 160 acres of contiguous open space, including the northern meadow (formerly earmarked for housing), and the surrounding hillsides;

·    Dedicates 7 acres to the City for the expansion of Siltanen Park;

·    Saves approximately 95% of the land as open space and parkland.

The benefits to Scotts Valley are significant:

·    The community can enjoy a diverse and wonderful open space;

·    Youth sports teams will have new parkland available for playing fields at no cost to the City;

·    Our public schools will receive more than $400,000 for needed improvements;

·    The project pays to convert large water users to the City’s recycled water system, reducing citywide water demand;

·    The project funds necessary improvements to Glenwood Dr./Scotts Valley Dr.

The project finally approved by the City Council reflects the determination of all parties to reach a fair and reasonable compromise among the various interests of our community.  Most importantly, this project is good for Scotts Valley.  Let’s end this debate and move on.  On March 5th, vote YES on Measure M.

s/ Sheryl Ainsworth, Council Member, City of Scotts Valley

s/ Randy Johnson, Vice-Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

s/ Paul Marigonda, Council Member, City of Scotts Valley

 

Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure M

What the developer isn't telling us-

Open space:

The current proposal does not guarantee the preservation of open space. Public access and recreational opportunities could be lost forever.

New park land:

Of the 7.23 acres offered for parks, only 4 acres are useable due to set-aside requirements for endangered species protection.  The taxpayers, not the developer, will pay to install the playing fields.

School fees:

The developer, as well as anyone who builds or remodels, is required to pay school fees.  The additional fees from the development will not offset the impacts to Scotts Valley Schools.

Water:

Whether or not the proposed development is built, the recycled water facility will go into operation, thus reducing over-all water usage.

Traffic improvements:

Although this project promises minor road improvements, the developer's contributions will do little to solve the increasing gridlock from the new homes and high school traffic.  Major road improvements, not to be made for some time, will come from a combination of state and city funds.

In 1999, Scotts Valley voters overwhelmingly defeated this developer's first proposal.  Now the project is back again with fewer benefits and increased costs for the taxpayers. This project is not good for Scotts Valley.  This is Scotts Valley's last open space, and once it's gone, it's gone forever.  We urge you to vote No on Measure M.

s/ Stephany Aguilar, Mayor

s/ Cliff Barrett, Scotts Valley City Council Member

s/ Margo Hober, Vice-president, Scotts Valley Water Board

Save Scotts Valley, s/ Marianne Woosley, Treasurer

 

 

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VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET

MEASURES, ANALYSES AND ARGUMENTS

(whichever is applicable to your ballot)

Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors.

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE M

How many times must the voters say no to the Glenwood Development plan?  In 1999, Scotts Valley voters overwhelmingly defeated this developer's first proposal. Once again, in 2002, the voters are forced to protect the last open space in Scotts Valley. If you care about preserving the beauty, character, and integrity of Scotts Valley for future generations, we urge you to vote No on Measure M.

·    The Development does not protect open space.

The current provisions of the development agreement allow for the open space to be owned by a Homeowner's Association.  This entity would be poorly equipped to manage the land, and would almost certainly prohibit public hiking trails with scenic overlooks and picnic areas.  The developer and the city could agree in the future to rezone the open space for more homes.

·    The Development is too dense.

The developer plans to build large homes on small 6,000 square foot lots – far too dense for the rural outskirts of Scotts Valley.  In addition, the "opportunity" parcel at Santos Pond allows for future development that would further destroy the natural character of the Glenwood.

·    The Development will increase traffic gridlock.

More than 400 daily car trips through all Glenwood intersections would be added by this development.  The cumulative effect of new development, inadequate road improvement funds, plus the ever-increasing high school traffic threaten public safety as well as quality of life.

·    The Development will create long-term tax burdens for everyone.

The developer pays one-time fees, while taxpayers pay forever to provide services to the Development.  The developer fees will not come close to covering long-term municipal services such as road maintenance, recreation, police, fire, and schools.

This is Scotts Valley's last open space, and once it's gone, it's gone forever. Please join us in voting NO on Measure M.

s/ Stephany E. Aguilar,  Mayor

s/ Cliff Barrett, Scotts Valley City Council Member

s/ Margo Hober, Director, Scotts Valley Water Board

s/ Michelle Stewart, Vine Hill School Teacher

Save Scotts Valley, s/ Marianne Woosley, Treasurer

 

 

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE M

Some people are never satisfied.

The Homes are Clustered on 5% of the Land

Two years ago Glenwood’s critics charged the housing plan would “completely surround the Glenwood meadow,” and favored “clustering development at one end.”  Now they say that the current proposal – with housing clustered on about 5% of the land – is “far too dense.” 

The plan brings a modest number of new homes to Scotts Valley, while protecting our natural surroundings.

The Plan Permanently Protects Open Space

The opponents’ claim that “the developer and the City could agree in the future to rezone the open space for more homes” is simply false.

The City Council’s primary objective in approving this plan was to ensure that the Glenwood would be permanently preserved for the enjoyment of Scotts Valley residents. 

This plan rezones approximately 95% of the property to open space and parkland.  The plan requires the City (or a City-approved agency) to preserve the property “in perpetuity as open space.”  The landowner must relinquish all rights to future development. The agreement expressly forbids the City from developing the open space, except for passive recreation and open space uses.

The open space will be protected by a conservation easement and/or deed restrictions that prohibit future development.

Let’s Be Fair

This is a fair and reasonable plan that brings needed housing to our community. Let’s seize this opportunity to save 95% of the Glenwood for future generations.

Please join us in voting “YES” on Measure M. 

s/ Sheryl Ainsworth, Council Member, City of Scotts Valley

s/ Randy Johnson, Vice-Mayor, City of Scotts Valley

s/ Paul Marigonda, Council Member, City of Scotts Valley

 

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