Balancing Environment, Sprawl

In this column series about the future of the San Diegoregion, Richard Louv highlights the work of Duncan McFetridge, founderof Save Our Forest and Ranchlands.

1 minute read

August 3, 2000, 1:00 PM PDT

By California 2000


In this column series about the future of the San Diego region, Richard Louv highlights the work of Duncan McFetridge, founder of Save Our Forest and Ranchlands. Concentrating on curbing urban sprawl before it consumes the remaining open space in the county, McFetridge sought to update the general plan with urban growth limits by pushing for the Rural Heritage and Watershed Initiative, which was rejected byvoters in 1998. Since then, Save Our Forest and Ranchlands has asked for an unlikely countywide moratorium on development. While creating urban growth boundaries is one method of slowing sprawl, growth must be channeled somewhere as population increases, Louv asserts, and it must be channeled into urban areas in such a way that will be attractive to San Diego residents.

Thanks to California 2000 Project

Monday, October 31, 2005 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A rendering of the Beltline light rail, which goes through a forested area. People walk on a path next to it.

Atlanta City Council unanimously backs $3.5 billion Beltline light rail project

The resolution was drafted after Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pulled support for the Atlanta Streetcar extension last year.

1 hour ago - Construction Review

A person boards a SEPTA bus.

SEPTA to bring nearby frequent transit to over 1 million new riders as part of decade-long plan

The agency's Accelerate plan will also bring frequent transit to twice the amount of jobs that are currently located near it.

2 hours ago - Mass Transit

Five people squat by a tree in NYC, helping to care for it.

NYC plants over 18,000 trees, the most new foliage in a decade

Many of the trees were planted in communities vulnerable to extreme heat.

3 hours ago - AM NY