Growth Boundary Extension Approved Before Impact Reports Completed

The Pittsburg, California, City Council has unanimously approved an extension of the city's urban growth boundary to include 1,600 more acres of foothills. This extension was approved by voters in 2005, but some argue the initiative was deceptive.

1 minute read

January 19, 2007, 2:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"The Pittsburg City Council late Tuesday approved moving the city's growth boundary to include close to 1,600 more acres in the southern foothills, but not before residents, environmentalists and an attorney for one of the landowners urged them to hold off until guidelines for hillside development had been approved and a thorough environmental review had been done."

"The council voted 4-0 to amend its General Plan -- its long-term planning document -- to extend the city's proposed planning boundary to the urban limit line voters approved in 2005, establish guidelines for developing new greenbelts in the southern foothills, designate open space in the Norton Valley and align city policies for conducting traffic studies with county standards."

"Councilmember Michael Kee reminded the audience that regardless of what they thought they were getting, the public decided it wanted the changes by approving developer-sponsored Measure P in 2005. Environmentalists and some residents since have complained that the language in the initiative was unclear and the public didn't know what it was voting for."

Thursday, January 18, 2007 in The Contra Costa Times

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Lava visible in crater with steam coming out in Hawaii.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?

Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

4 hours ago - Honolulu Civil Beat

Purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers in a field in California.

Climate Gardening: Cultivating Resilient Landscapes in Los Angeles

TreePeople’s 4th Annual Urban Soil Symposium explored how climate gardening, soil health, and collaborative land management strategies can enhance urban resilience in the face of climate change.

5 hours ago - TreePeople

Close-up on charging port for electric cars.

Electric Surge: EV Chargers Outnumber Gas Nozzles in California

California now has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than gasoline nozzles, reflecting its rapid shift toward clean transportation and aggressive zero-emission goals despite federal pushback.

6 hours ago - Inside EVs