This November, Dublin residents will decide whether the city should pursue the annexation and development of 80 acres of open space between Dublin and Livermore. Known as the Crosby Property, the area lies beyond the city’s urban limit line, also known as an urban growth boundary, which exists to protect the area from development and to preserve the open spaces of Doolan and Collier Canyons.
Voters should oppose such a measure, as no effort has been made to explain how such development would outweigh the open-space, agricultural, scenic and biological benefits that the area provides today.
The Dublin City Council’s decision to not define the development before placing it on the ballot will cause confusion for voters, as they will be asked to decide on a possible council decision on an undefined project.
The ballot measure may also run afoul of the law, which requires that an environmental review of the project be conducted and provided to the public prior to placing the ballot measure. Voters deserve to understand the environmental impacts of the decisions they make. A lack of project direction on the city’s part does not relieve it of this responsibility to Dublin’s voters.
Additionally, this space, which currently serves as a buffer between Dublin and Livermore, should be managed with a mutual understanding between the two cities, and not become a political rift between them. The majority of Livermore residents prefer to keep the land as open space. Leaders from both cities should continue discussions before something as final as a public vote.
The ballot measure is premature, at best. Citizens should tell Dublin leaders that further definition and investigations are needed before a break of the urban limit line will be considered.
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