No Measure J/R/D amendments
May 26, 2025
It was disappointing to read the recent Davis Enterprise article regarding the City Council meeting item on Measure J/R/D on May 13th. To be clear, there was no “confusion” by the public of what was being discussed or what could have resulted from that meeting. The Council was deciding if and when the City would add “exemptions” to Measure J/R/D on a ballot. Any project including any of these exemption conditions would avoid a Measure J/R/D vote and disenfranchise Davis citizens from voting on it.
Also, there was no mention about the huge number of citizens who expressed their opposition to any Measure J/R/D “amendments” (exemptions) in person, by voicemail and by email at the meeting.
How coincidental, that this subject of “amending“ Measure J /R/D was raised just when the egregious Village Farms project is supposed to be the next project on the ballot? Unless of course, it was somehow “exempted” by an “amended” Measure J/R/D. Village Farms is a 1,800-unit project at Covell and Pole Line with a 200-acre floodplain, toxics from the adjacent unlined Old City Landfill, massive infrastructure costs, and enormous traffic and unsafe access issues.
To be clear, any amendment(s) to Measure J/R/D to exempt large projects which would annex in large parcels of ag land or open space for development, is for the benefit of the developers, not our community. Measure J/R/D already has exemptions built into it including for affordable housing.
While the Housing Element Update citizen committee evaluated addressing new housing needs, they did NOT make any recommendation to amend or add Measure J/R/D exemptions. That concept came up between the City Staff and the State. Was this Staff’s idea, or was Staff given that direction, and by whom, to offer the concept of amending Measure J/R/D?
With democracy on the line on a daily basis, we don’t need that happening here in Davis. The intention of Measure J/R/D is to give the public the ability to support good projects, and reject bad projects. Measure J/R/D is “The Citizens Right to Vote on Future Use of Open Space and Agricultural Lands”. It passed 83%:17% when last renewed in 2020. Measure J/R/D is democracy in action, and it does not need any “amendments” to weaken or invalidate it.
Eileen M. Samitz
I noticed that as well, Eileen - the attempt to suggest that there was "confusion" regarding what the city is attempting.
There was no "confusion" regarding the comments put forth.
In general, it reminds me of claims that "public outreach" was conducted, AFTER a decision is already made (in reality).
The effort to weaken Measure J is coming from the city itself; not from the state. In fact, there's no evidence that the state initiated any concerns regarding Measure J.
I also noted, as you did, that staff (and subsequently - a council member) did not accurately/completely discuss the Affordable housing exemption allowed under Measure J. Fortunately, you pointed out staff's "oversight".
Posted by: Ron O | May 26, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Look at the pic of the mass Elk Grove like sprawl.
Is that what Davis residents really want?
I don't think so...
Measure J/R/D is your friend.
Posted by: Keith | May 27, 2025 at 02:40 PM
Thanks for your feedback on this Ron. But now this issue has been shuffled to 3 commissions including Social Services, Fiscal and the newly constituted Climate and Environmental Justice Commission. This is to get recommendations to try to give the impression of “citizen support” of this effort led primarily by Mayor Bapu Vaitla to amend Measure J/R/D to add exemptions.
Posted by: Eileen Samitz | May 31, 2025 at 07:53 AM
Eileen: Yeap.
Also, let's not forget that some on the council took steps to decimate the commissions in the first place.
Overall, what the city is attempting is likely to result in the rejection of BOTH of the peripheral proposals - which is my preferred result, but may not be yours - which is fine.
Overall, you've done more for the city (and relatively "slow growth") than anyone else I've come into contact with. Your organizing skills (ability to raise awareness and participation) are more-impressive than anyone else I've come into contact with, as well - by far.
You are also viewed as reasonable/practical regarding "solutions" (e.g., the effort to encourage UCD to build more housing), as well. Someone like me would probably just say that it's "UCD's problem", which isn't as effective. Your earlier support of The Cannery is also evidence of that - even though it did not turn out to be a "perfect" development.
Posted by: Ron O | May 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Keith asks:
> Is that what Davis residents really want?
Most city council members are like members of congress in that they don't care what voters want they care what campaign contributors want. Slow growth people will have to work real hard to keep J/R/D restrictions in place since they won't be able to out spend the developers who will make millions turning Davis into "Elk Grove Del Norte"...
Posted by: South of Davis | May 31, 2025 at 02:36 PM
Down from 83%; those developer dollars were around then, and more people have drank the Cooladi, but from 83-->49 is a big sloggie
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | May 31, 2025 at 07:03 PM