Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007

Patterson newcomer pushes term limit, housing initiatives

PATTERSON -- An aspiring teacher and newcomer to the city is pushing for two initiatives on the June ballot that would impose term limits on the mayor and council and restrict new housing growth.

Donna Worley filed a notice of intent with the city clerk last week to collect signatures for the initiatives. City Attorney George Logan confirmed he is reviewing the language to see if the initiatives meet statutory requirements.

Worley must collect signatures from 10 percent of registered voters in Patterson to place the items on the June ballot. Logan estimated that would require at least 1,000 valid signatures for each initiative.

"Patterson's City Council doesn't seem to reflect the typical mindset of the average citizen in Patterson. We need jobs and the county voted in support of a development that seems to be an answer for careers for students graduating from high school. Our own City Council opposed that," Worley said.

She referred to the PCCP West Park LLC project, headed by Sacramento builder Gerry Kamilos, that would develop 4,800 acres around the former Crows Landing air base with a short-haul rail link to the Port of Oakland. Patterson's City Council opposes the project because of concerns about its size, rail and truck traffic, pollution and impact on the West Side.

The initiative would impose a maximum of two terms for the council and mayor. The council doesn't have term limits now.

The second initiative would limit the number of new housing permits each year to 200 without voter approval, with the exception of affordable housing requirements.

Worley said she based the housing initiative on a similar measure in Tracy.

Patterson has no cap on housing growth, Logan said, but is set to review the policy when the city hits 30,000 residents. Its current population is about 20,000.

Worley, 61, moved to Patterson six months ago from Burbank to pursue her teaching credential. She said she is a "long-term activist" who is quick to become involved in her community.

Worley spent $400 to file the two initiatives. She said she plans to go door to door with volunteers to collect signatures and register voters.

Logan said it is uncommon for a resident to attempt to place an initiative on the ballot in Patterson. "I've been the city attorney for nine years, this is the first one I've seen," he said.

Bee staff writer Christina Salerno can be reached at csalerno@modbee.com or 238-4574.