Our Views: Voters will have input on growth
It’s too bad that land-use planning has to be done at the ballot box, but that’s where Modesto is headed in November 2015. Ideally, cities staff – steeped in zoning rules, best practices, community desires and state law – follow the vision of duly elected leaders and develop plans that developers turn into beautiful communities. That’s the ideal. But it is never the reality.
In the real world everything from land values, to city lines, to personalities, to speculators get in the way. As the needs and desires of one group are weighed against those of another, winners and losers emerge.
Despite its recent ill-conceived effort to grow into Wood Colony, the city of Modesto has tried with some success to grow smartly. The city’s housing is more dense than in most Valley cities, and its public facilities are fairly accessible. No city is perfect, but many Valley cities would trade places with Modesto.
The Stamp Out Sprawl initiative – if approved by voters – will direct the city’s growth east, away from some of the region’s best farmland. Preserving those farms has been a goal of many for generations.
Part of that might have happened anyway. Modesto has always wanted to grow north. But the soils south of the Stanislaus River and north of Kiernan are some of the best in the state, if not the nation. Part of what makes them so wonderful is their permeability, meaning water can pass through to the aquifers below. This is exactly the kind of soil the state has recently required counties to preserve for groundwater recharge. Any effort to pave over farms north of Kiernan would likely have been met with a lot of resistance. Since the city is already backing away from its plans to co-opt Wood Colony, just about the only direction left is east.
The committee gathered more than enough signatures to get this on the ballot, and should be congratulated for its efforts. Expect to hear a lot more about this in the coming year. It is a good conversation to have.
Good move for the city
Some words are just so, well, unnecessary. Take the word “interim.” We’re glad the city of Modesto finally chopped that word out of Jim Holgersson’s job title – no longer will he be Modesto’s “interim” city manager. Holgersson has brought both a calming influence and some much needed openness to the sixth floor of Tenth Street Place. Now that city staff knows he’ll be sticking around awhile, it should make him all the more effective.
Looking out for scam artists
What could be the scariest thing you’ll encounter this Halloween? How about scam artists? It’s unlikely they’ll knock on your door Friday night asking for treats, but you can be certain they’re planning any number of tricks – especially over the Internet. Sen. Cathleen Galgiani and state and local officials will host a “Senior Scam Stopper” seminar at the Manteca Senior Center on Wednesday, from noon to 2 p.m.
Free meal, haircut for veterans
Normally, we leave marketing up to the companies that will benefit. But this is worth an exception. Golden Corral and Great Clips will both honor veterans starting Veterans Day. On Nov. 11, veterans can get a free haircut at Great Clips. Or, anyone who pays for a haircut can get a coupon entitling a veteran to get a freebie through Dec. 31. On Nov. 17, Golden Corral restaurants will provide a free buffet meal to anyone who can show they’ve served in the Armed Forces. The restaurants also will take donations for disabled veterans.
This story was originally published October 25, 2014 at 8:50 AM with the headline "Our Views: Voters will have input on growth."