We are proud of the proposal and were so gratified that so many people came to the conclusion that we have known for a long time. That is that Brentwood is the right agency to decide what happens with our property. We believe in Brentwood, are fortunate to be a part of this community, and have written this measure so that everyone can benefit from it. Much of this stems from the fact that we have owned our land, on average, for more than 20 years each.
The initiative is moving forward. The City Council has determined that all of the necessary steps had been done properly and placed the initiative on the June 8 ballot. The council acted after staff presented the fiscal impact report. Should the initiative succeed and be fully implemented, staff found a direct influx of $60 million to the city over time. Also, there would be an annual net surplus of $800,000 for the city to use on a variety of needed services including parks, police and roadways. We’re proud to do more than pay our own way. If you’d like to see the discussion of the initiative, please go to www.ci.brentwood.ca.us and look for the video of the March 9 meeting.
We just learned that the initiative will be called Measure F. We hope you’ll take the time to learn more about Measure F and its many elements, which are designed to help make Brentwood an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Within the next week, our Web site will be available at www.putbrentwoodincontrol.com.
Briefly, Measure F would establish Brentwood’s own Urban Limit Line. This would put the Brentwood council and city voters in control not only of our land but the perimeter of the entire city. Neither the county nor any other neighboring city should make these decisions for us. Only the people of Brentwood can fairly determine what is in their best interests, not outsiders, however well-intentioned they might be.
Additionally, Measure F would rezone our land and potentially allow the city to permit a low-density project. If this happens, Measure F would create new local jobs, help our schools, improve Brentwood’s economy and enhance public safety. Taken together, these factors should also result in higher property values. We also commit ourselves to fixing Balfour Road and American Avenue around Heritage High School and Adams Middle School.
Those of us who have been part of the community for many years know how important all of these things are to Brentwood. Along with the significant contributions to the city’s budget mentioned earlier, this is a package we hope you’ll see as beneficial for you and your family. Please direct any questions, concerns and comments to putbrentwoodincontrol@yahoo.com.
Lee Hancock, Mark Harris,
Sean McCauley and John Wong
Brentwood
The authors of the above article want to "thank the more than 5,200 Brentwood neighbors who recently signed the initiative". Thank them for what? Not understanding what it was they were being hoodwinked into signing?
The authors know full well that this Measure strips away Brentwood of control of the development in question.
Contra Costa Times rejects the Measure F (and the developers) lies: Visit the link for more info.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_14937713
Measure F equals more crime, lowered housing prices, impacted schools. There is no guarantee for they developers will fix American Avenue or Balfour Rd. in the Measure.
We all need to face the unfortunate fact that the area in question will be developed eventually. But it should be developed on BRENTWOOD's terms (per our already existing plan), not those of an out-of-area developers. Measure F is a really lousy deal for Brentwood. We can do much better. My message to the developers: Try being honest next time you jam an initiative through in a special election, timed specifically to increase your chances of passing through low voter turnout. Shame on you.
WE ARE NOT ANTIOCH!!