Novato Council Should Put Growth Issue on Ballot

Good growth policies like Novato’s urban growth boundary have kept open space and hillsides mostly free of sprawl.

But now, after 20 years, Novato’s urban growth boundary is expiring this year. If it is not renewed by Novato voters, the lands around the city face increased risk of development.

The voters of Novato passed Measure G by 70 percent to adopt the urban growth boundary in November 1997. The city growth boundary was endorsed by the entire City Council, county supervisors representing Novato, Greenbelt Alliance and Marin Conservation League.

This voter-approved growth boundary expires Nov. 4, 2017.

Renewing the boundary limits with a vote of the people will maintain the strength and intention of the original measure. If the voters renew it, then only a vote of the people can change it.

Allowing voter protections to lapse, as some in Novato are suggesting, would allow development outside the city boundaries at any time with a simple majority vote of the City Council.

The City Council will decide on March 7 whether to renew the Urban Growth Boundary with a ballot measure this November or let the voter protections expire. It could be a turning point for future growth in Novato and Marin County.

Join Greenbelt Alliance and Marin Conservation League in urging the City Council to put the renewal before the voters. http://www.greenbelt.org/actio...