How Danville Became a Town For Neighbors

www.DanvilleLivingCA.com

@DanvilleLivingCA

By Newell Arnerich, Resident since 1987

Danville was established in 1858 with the naming of our town and the opening of its first post office. It was just two years after Danville opened the valley’s first and only cemetery. Our valley pioneers, the Woods, Baldwins, Hartzes, Sherburnes, Glasses, Bettencourts, Inmans and the Podvas were the first civic leaders of our great valley. Their vision started the first schools and churches in the area even leading to importing such notables as a young boy from Oakland, author and poet Bret Harte, to help tutor ranchers’ children. These were to be the beginnings of many ‘firsts’ in Danville.

President Dwight. D. Eisenhower stated, on the eve of Danville’s 100-year anniversary, “...this fine residential community has prospered over the years, with a strong sense of tradition, of civic pride, and responsibility, Danville can enter its second century with confidence.” Education was also at the forefront of thought with this quote from The Valley Pioneer Centennial Edition September 4, 1958, “When and where the educational growth will end-the year 2058 may provide the answer, because as the saying goes, the first 100 years are the toughest.” It may be better stated that Danville’s history is based on leadership and community participation in deciding its future. The tradition of civic involvement in the Danville Grange, which began as a family farmers union, early school boards and other such civic functions laid the foundation which built Danville’s reputation for setting high standards and leading the way for the betterment of its community.

Shortly after Danville residents voted to incorporate in 1982, Danville set out on a course to preserve and protect open space. Today, over 40% of the Town’s land area is comprised of open space and park land. The Town’s first General Plan, adopted in 1987, forecast that the Town would reach build out by 2005, with a population of 43,000. As of 2018, Danville’s population stood at 43,355. Among the 22 cities that make up Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley, Danville ranks 20th in population growth since 2000. Our population has grown approximately 90 people per year over the past 18 years, a total of 3.93% over eighteen years. In contrast, our neighboring cities, as well as the unincorporated areas that surround Danville, have grown at a much higher rate. For example, the Tri-Valley (San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore) has added 100,000 new residents in the past 18 years and Contra Costa County over 250,000. The traffic congestion in our area is not from Danville residents - it comes from our neighboring cities and unincorporated county areas. Danville is very different because it was planned that way. We are constantly challenged by the State of California Legislature to increase our population. We are one of the few cities in the Bay area that cannot physically accommodate more housing. This is having two effects: 1. Our property values will continue to rise; 2. It will be more difficult for young families to afford our community.

The Westside of Danville developed very differently than the Eastside due to its geography and other physical features that was not as suitable for farming. Other than the downtown housing on Hartz Avenue, the Westside developed the first housing tract areas. Cameo and Greenbrook soon followed the Westside in housing development. We are fortunate to have many differing neighborhoods built around open space, natural amenities, neighborhood schools, parks and a vast number of walking trails. The Westside interfaces daily with the Las Trampas open space with two types of foxes, coyotes and occasionally mountain lions roaming the streets and pathways.

Danville is a special place that takes a constant oversight and vision to keep its small-town charm and outstanding quality of life. Danville started as a Township but had to incorporate in 1982 as the ‘City of Danville’ until a change shortly thereafter in the State Constitution to allow the word ‘City’ and ‘Town’ to be interchangeable. Thus, Danville quickly changed its name to the ‘Town of Danville’. The ‘Town of Danville’ name fits well as it really is who we are. See you around Town!