We represent Contra Costa’s 19 cities as the Mayors’ Conference representatives on the Local Agency Formation Commission. LAFCO is the agency responsible to decide, among other issues, whether or not a particular area is annexed to one city or another.
Among the factors we consider in deciding these proposed annexations is whether or not the site is within voter-approved urban limit lines. For example, in 2006, we annexed Roddy Ranch (Horse Valley) to Antioch after Antioch’s voters approved Measure K. In 2009, we annexed the Faria Ranch into San Ramon after that city’s voters approved their own urban limit line.
The issue of annexation has come to our attention regarding Brentwood’s Measure F. The land involved in Measure F is located between and adjacent to both Brentwood and Antioch. It is currently within Brentwood’s Sphere of Influence. This is important because it means that Brentwood is the more logical service provider for this area.
However, we also remove land from city spheres once it is clear that such areas are either no longer appropriate for annexation to that city or that the voters have rejected it. As a case in point, in 2008, LAFCO deleted hundreds of acres from Brentwood’s Sphere of Influence as the area become part of the state park system.
If Brentwood’s voters indicate their lack of interest in this area by defeating Measure F, LAFCO could reconsider its intention to direct this land to Brentwood by amending the city’s SOI. Additionally, if the people of Antioch decide to expand their urban limit line to include the area along Balfour Road, LAFCO could give that great weight. Any final decision about annexing the site to Antioch would occur only after a full analysis and public hearing.
We respect the will of the people. It is our policy and, in our view, is the only fair and reasonable way to handle these issues.
Helen Allen
Rob Schroder
LAFCO Commissioners
It is currently within Brentwood’s Sphere of Influence. This is important because it means that Brentwood is the more logical service provider for this area.
However, we also remove land from city spheres once it is clear that such areas are either no longer appropriate for annexation to that city or that the voters have rejected it......
suggestion, opinion, or ???
Indeed these LAFCO guys are giving you a heads-up, I just wish they would be smart enough to step back and recognize the same old approach to development is not going to work and things will only get worse unless the county and cities put more pressure on developers to pay (and establish long-term revenue methods) upfront for sustainable and suitable infrastructure/services. No matter how this vote goes I have no confidence the politicians will be willing to do the right thing unless the public puts extensive pressure on them.