A ballot measure restricting growth on ranchland and hillsides in Santa Clara County is the most polarizing of the six county and two city measures that affect open space, parks, developments and urban growth boundaries.
"One of the highest profile initiatives is Santa Clara County's Measure A, which would limit development on ranches and hillsides covering roughly 400,000 acres -- nearly half the county.
If approved, the measure would change zoning on ranch land to allow for 1 home per 160 acres instead of the 8 allowed now. It would also cut the number of houses allowed on hillsides from 8 per 160 acres to no more than 4. The measure does not affect flat agricultural land."
Measures in both Contra Costa and Solano counties would extend the lifespan of existing urban-limit lines, with only the latter encountering opposition.
Napa County's measure would create a park and open space district to be run by a five-member elected board. While farmland is already greatly protected from development, the county has little accessible public open space.
San Mateo County's measure would raise the sales tax by 1/8 percent to improve and maintain county parks.
Sonoma County's measure would extend an existing quarter-cent sales tax from 2011 to 2031 to fund the Sonoma County Open Space Authority.
Pacifica and Fremont voters will decide whether to allow major developments in their cities to go forward.
FULL STORY: CAMPAIGN 2006: Growth Measures / Plenty of measures on ways to manage growth, open space

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont