Planning Ahead

After 35 years, growth manager set to retire

By TIM MORAN
tmoran@modbee.com

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As Stanislaus County director of planning and community development for 17 years, Ron Freitas has sat at the crossroads of the county's battle between preserving farmland and developing housing for a burgeoning population.

His influence stretches back more than twice that long, however. Freitas joined the county planning department 35 years ago and worked on the county's first general plan, the document that acts as a blueprint for land use throughout the county.

Now, at the age of 58, Freitas is retiring. March 28 will be his last day with the county. Assistant Planning Director Kirk Ford will be Freitas' interim replacement until a permanent one is found.

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The time is right, Freitas said, for him to retire.

"We've reached the point in our planning where we have major issues that will take several years to solve," Freitas said. "Rather than starting and leaving in the middle, it's time for new folks with new ideas."

Spending a career in one department is unusual in the planning arena, and serving as director for 17 years also is unusual, Freitas said. The Modesto native was reluctant to apply for jobs in Modesto after graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, because he knew he probably would move around some in his early career before settling in a place. He did, though, at the urging of his mother, and was hired in 1973.

The typical planning director usually lasts five to six years in a department before moving on, Freitas said. It's a high-pressure job, especially in a rapidly growing area such as Stanislaus County, with the constant conflict between developers and agriculture.

Those who have worked with Freitas say his calm and professional demeanor and leadership have served the county well.

"Ron has been just an outstanding director of planning and community development," said county Chief Executive Officer Rick Robinson. "I can't say enough good things about him. He is a consummate professional. We are going to miss him."

Denny Jackman, a former Modesto city councilman and a co-author of Measure E, a successful land-use initiative that limits residential growth in the unincorporated areas, agreed.

"He's done a heck of a job representing the county," Jackman said, citing Freitas' work on the recent update of the agricultural element to the general plan. The board of supervisors sent the ag element back for more details and then drew the wrath of the building industry because it required builders to preserve equivalent farmland when taking farmland out of production.

"I'm pleased with the work on the ag element. It was a tough situation with land-use issues. It's a tough game," Jackman said. He also cited Freitas' work on the Salida Plan, a controversial development northwest of Modesto.

"The county is fairly aggressive in urbanization. Salida is all prime farmland," Jackman said. "It's very difficult to toe a straight line when you know the area urbanizing is prime farmland. I have nothing ill to say of the staff whatsoever, and Ron is a part of that."

County Farm Bureau executive manager Wayne Zipser also praised Freitas.

"I think he did an outstanding job, especially on land-use issues in agriculture," Zipser said. "I think he was fair. I didn't agree with him all the time, but he did a good job of representing the county."

Dennis Wilson, a consultant who has represented many developers before the county, also praised Freitas.

"He has guided the county through many complex projects like Diablo Grande and the Salida Plan," Wilson said. "I hate to see him retire; he's done a great job for the county. No one can say he was pro-builder, or pro-growth."