Q&A
Do you support the renewal of Measure J in its current form? Why or why not? How can Measure J be improved? Do you support making Measure J permanent? Why or why not?
[Don's response:] Measure J, the "Citizens' Right to Vote on Future Use of Open Space and Agricultural Lands", was written in 1999 and passed by Davis voters in March 2000. It sunsets on December 31, 2010. The language of Measure J requires that the City Council submit to the voters a measure to "extend, amend or repeal" the 1999 language.
I support the citizens' vote on future use of open space and agricultural lands. The right of citizens to vote on annexations of this sort has become a part of the political landscape of our community. The existence of this Measure contributes to a focus on planning for a compact urban form and provides leverage in assuring that any proposed projects address widely supported community needs.
I am committed to hearing from the community on this and every decision. Council direction to extend Measure J unchanged or amend the language in some manner prior to a public decision process may well stifle true community wide engagement on this important issue.
When the Council places the successor measure to Measure J on the ballot it should be informed by clear city staff analysis, active community dialogue, and thoughtful consideration by the Planning Commission. At this point, I have no specific improvements to suggest to the language of Measure J. By the time this ordinance sunsets it will have been more than ten years since its drafting. In considering the language of the successor measure, we should thoughtfully review our experience over the past decade and the potential for changing needs of our community. It is possible that the community may want to strengthen the language in some manner.
Looking ahead, I think there is wisdom in the initial concept of a sunset of Measure J and in having it its successor tied to the timeline of the next General Plan.
