COMMUNITY NEWS
Supporters Want Farmland Protection on 2022 Ballot
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22 / December 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
n Dec. 13, a coalition of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley community leaders, farmers, and environmentalists delivered 3,180 signatures in support of a ballot measure to renew Watsonville’s Urban Limit Line through 2040. Once signatures are ver- Supporters of farmland protection and planned growth in Watsonville ified, the measure protecting with 3,180 signatures aim to ask voters to extend the Urban Limit farmland can be scheduled to Line in 2022. go before City of Watsonville voters, likely — a historic compromise between farmers, business, and residents to protect Pajaro in November 2022. State law requires initiative propo- Valley farmland, wetlands, and growth nents to collect signatures from 10 percent within the city for 20 years. In 2013 Watsonville voters affirmed of Watsonville’s registered voters, about the Urban Limit Line by defeating Measure 2,170 signatures. Leaders of the Committee for Planned T, a developer-backed effort to change it, Growth and Farmland Protection sur- with 77% of the vote. Some of Measure U limits will expire passed that goal. “We had thousands of supportive in 2022, with the rest expiring in 2027. Supporters of renewing the Urban conversations with our neighbors all over town about the need to protect vital Limit Line point to city housing reports, farmland and encourage smart growth indicating the city has more than 100 sites in Watsonville,” said Sam Earnshaw, of developable land. They also cite a 2020 city survey in cofounder of the Watsonville Farmers Market. “It is overwhelmingly clear which more than 95% of city residents that our community wants to vote on said the vity should create additional jobs renewing the urban limit line and we and housing near already existing infrastructure to help preserve natural and feel confident they will next year.” Added Yesenia Jimenez, who is on the agricultural land. The campaign reports endorsements staff of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, “It’s time to promote truly affordable housing in by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, Watsonville and not destroy our beautiful Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and more farmland and wetlands for unaffordable than 50 community leaders and farmers. n ••• sprawling developments.” For info visit: www.Watsonville The Urban Limit Line was established by voters in 2002 via passage of Measure U PlannedGrowth.org
