Organizations for Rural Quality (RQC/F)Grass Valley Managed Growth InitiativeDuring the next several months the Organizations for Rural Quality (RQC/RQF) will be posting supporting information about the Friends of Grass Valley Managed Growth Initiative in a "Question of the Week" format. We look forward to your input and will do our best to answer any questions you may have. Contact: rqinfo@ruralquality.org Questions - Week One (Link)What is a General Plan – and what is the Land Use Element that the Initiative ratifies? And why do we propose voter approval of any changes to it? Questions - Week Two (Link)30 Years of Voter Approval for Land Use Amendments: a Lock-in or Citizens' Empowerment? Questions - Week Three (Link)What is the difference between the Citizens' Growth Management Initiative and the Developers' Initiative? Questions - Week Four (Link)Will the Managed Growth Initiative promote sprawl? Questions - Week Five (Link)Will the Managed Growth Initiative require costly and endless special elections? Questions - Week Six (Link)Will the Citizens' Initiative hinder and constrain the City from implementing the General Plan's "True Goals?" Questions - Week Seven (Link)Will the Citizens' Initiative cause financial harm to Grass Valley? NO. Following the existing General Plan results in the best annual financial Returns to the City. Background to Questions of the WeekThere are questions and statements coming from the opposition about the Initiative that are not legal or technical, but emotional. There has been some regrettable name calling and unpleasant behavior by prominent members of the opposition. This is unfortunate, but we are proud to report, that the Initiative proponents are dedicated to maintaining an ethical and respectable campaign. We cannot control comments of all supporters, but we encourage everyone to stay within the facts and avoid slanderous comments. The RQ did not conceive and write the Initiative, nor was it written by one person. The final wording has emerged over several years of work by many groups. We were recently one of many community and neighborhood groups invited to provide advice and support for this Initiative effort. We provided input and determined that the Initiative was a positive move in our work to keep Nevada County rural and Grass Valley the small town we all love. The true “who” behind the Initiative are the residents of Grass Valley who feel their voices have not been heard. In surveys and workshops, residents state that they want less growth, less traffic and less drugs. They also feel the elected officials and City staff are not listening to this message. This Initiative serves the purpose of giving Grass Valley residents the opportunity to vote to support their vision of maintaining a small town. If the City Council approves a project that requires a General Plan amendment to “up-zone” a property, it will then go to a vote of the people. Very simple and very easy to understand and that’s all it is! Our posted informative pieces will include topics like: What is a General Plan? What other communities have voted in similar measures?; etc. |
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