Editor:

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding of Measure F. A little history should help in making an intelligent decision.

The city has had the property in question in its sphere of influence for years. In fact, when the land was purchased for Adams and Heritage schools, the city not only extended the utilities there, but also oversized for planned future development with the understanding the cost would be reimbursed by the developer.

In fact, how many are aware that Roddy Ranch Golf Course is irrigated from the city’s wastewater treatment plant? The pipe was extended and paid for by the developers of the ranch at Deer Valley Road at the end of Balfour Road.

Why did the city encourage development to the west? The land in question is not pristine, but marginal farmland and the city wanted to take development pressure off the pristine farmland to the east.

The Board of Supervisors in 2000 redrew the urban limit line knowing that the school sites were purchased and would be developed. The action by the board created dangerous road conditions in that area because the schools were landlocked and the circulation plans had to be scrapped.

This also created another situation: the city’s desire to save the prime farmland to the east of Brentwood by developing the western corridor forced developers to go to the unincorporated area in the west, thus allowing rampant growth in the high-production farmland east of Brentwood near Discovery Bay.

After the urban limit line fiasco, the citizens of Antioch, Pittsburg and San Ramon voted to move their urban limit line back to where it was before the Supervisors’ “land grab.”

Some people are insinuating that the supporters of Measure F are using scare tactics that Antioch may build in that area if our citizens don’t vote for Measure F. If you look at a map, you’ll see that the Antioch Roddy Ranch property is right up to the property in question.

I encourage everyone to read the letter to the editor “Consequences of Measure F results” by LAFCO in the May 7 issue of the Brentwood Press. LAFCO is the agency that approves or disapproves all annexations in the county. This is not a scare tactic by supporters of F, but a strong possibility that Antioch could someday annex that property. If Measure F passes, Brentwood citizens will have control of that area for the planning process.

So ask yourself: will the land in question be developed in the future by Antioch if Measure F loses (refer to LAFCO)? Then ask yourself this question: who do you think would do a better plan and demand more amenities from a developer, Antioch or Brentwood? Vote yes on Measure F.

Barbara Guise, former Mayor of Brentwood