Growth

By Susan Mary Goldbeck

Silicon Valley has learned the hard way what happens when development is allowed to run amok without proper planning. Susan believes the lifeboat is full and we must say no to future large-scale growth. We must address the needs of those of us who already live here. We cannot invite more folks into the boat or it will sink.

Attorney Brian Finnegan, a leading spokesman for development interests, recently questioned a County General Plan staff recommendation that we should plan for our future for free flowing traffic (Level C) on our County roads rather than the gridlock conditions we are facing now. "How can we plan for level C when this would prevent development?" Good question, Mr. Finnegan!

Susan's opponents are in favor of what they admit are growth-inducing projects such as the large desal plant at Moss Landing They feel that growth is inevitable, so we must plan for it.

New housing subdivisions make big money for developers. The taxpayers lose by subsidizing the increased need for roads, schools, parks, and police services with higher taxes and reduced services. It is a simple fact that productive agricultural lands produce far more tax revenue than it costs for County service. By contrast, residential development produces far fewer revenues that it costs to offer County services. We taxpayers make up the short- fall.