In Modesto, Measure I vote count is very tight

The count for the anti-sprawl initiative in Modesto remains tight.

The latest tally shows 50.17 percent in favor of Measure I and 49.83 percent opposed, with the proponents ahead by only 41 votes.

The measure to draw an urban limit for Modesto has been supported by farmland advocates and those opposed to large-scale development, plus city residents who sympathize with the cause to preserve Wood Colony, west of the city.

Measure I proponents were criticized for hand-drawing the diagram of the urban boundary and including a piece of Ceres in the proposed urban area for Modesto. A voter petition drive placed the measure on the ballot.

The No on Measure I committee spent more than $30,000 to campaign against the initiative. The coalition including the Modesto Chamber of Commerce and city public safety unions have claimed the measure would stifle economic development and choke the city’s tax base, leading to higher taxes to support services.

“It’s nice to be ahead, regardless of the numbers,” said former Councilman Denny Jackman, the author of Measure I. “As long as you are still ahead, it’s fine.”

The anti-sprawl ballot measure would restrict Modesto’s growth to an area roughly bounded by Kiernan Avenue and Claribel Road on the north, Whitmore Avenue and the Tuolumne River on the south, and an extension of Morse Road on the west. Housing subdivisions, shopping centers and business development would be allowed on marginal farmland east of Claus Road and north of Dry Creek.

Development projects outside the urban limit would require a public vote.

Proponents say the urban limit would protect the best farmland and establish an urban boundary that can’t be arbitrarily changed by council votes.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 8:43 PM with the headline "In Modesto, Measure I vote count is very tight."