Urban limit and annexing Wood Colony tip will Modesto move forward
The Bee’s recent editorial on the Urban Limit Proposal (ULL) is half-baked and is not well thought out; worse yet, it is misleading.
It acknowledges that the city has failed to address the future of economic development through the general plan process for over 25 years, and then calls for the City Council to utilize the “tried and true” general plan process.
It mentions the “greedy” few in Wood Colony, when in fact, the great majority (82%) of Wood Colony farmer-property owners within the line support the line.
It bemoans the fact that the majority of Wood Colony residents will not have a vote on the proposal since it is a city issue, but ignores the fact that Modesto’s voters will not have a say either under your plan.
Most importantly, the Editorial Board ignores the major economic challenges facing the city of Modesto and refuses to acknowledge how important greater economic opportunities are to any positive, sustainable future.
The ULL is a compromise. It protects over 90% of Wood Colony, only making the commercial corridor along Highway 99 available for annexation to Modesto. The vast majority of the owners of this land within the ULL have signed a petition to become part of the city. Most of those outside the line do not want to be part of the city. The ULL does not force them to join. The Bee editorial did not mention that most Wood Colony property owners get exactly what they want with this proposal.
The economic shortfall caused by COVID-19 and other factors presents a fearsome challenge to Modesto. How is Modesto going to pay for essential services like police and fire? How are we going to generate more jobs? Since every jurisdiction is facing similar challenges we can expect little help from Washington and Sacramento. Frankly, those jurisdictions have never had our area as a priority anyway.
Where will Modesto find the funds to address issues like public safety, affordable housing and job creation without additional revenue? The corridor along 99 can become a thriving center for jobs and economic revival, and that will enable Modesto to address our long-term needs.
A few months ago The Bee lauded the effort to find a compromise on this issue. But when the comprise emerged, The Bee reverted to the tired and worn “let the process work” refrain without acknowledging that the process allows for initiatives and referendums precisely to address situations where the “tried and true” process has failed.
Modesto needs to move ahead. No one will do it for us. It is proper and fitting for the voters of Modesto to decide their economic and quality-of-life future. The City Council should let the voters decide.