Voters Take Action On Urban Sprawl

"Alarmed by dwindling park space, disappearing farmland and encroaching strip malls, Americans are using the ballot box to try to govern the growth of their communities. Dubbed urban sprawl, the problem diminishes quality of life, endangers the environment and whisks jobs into the suburbs, away from the working poor, many citizen groups contend. On Nov. 7, voters embraced ballot measures to preserve open space, such as expanding parks and saving farmland, but rejected strict local growth restrictions. Voters also approved an array of transportation measures to encourage public transportation and ease emphasis on cars."