Measure P is Not Green

Conversion of the existing Wildhorse ranch pastures into a high-density residential development on the edge of town, abutting a burrowing owl habitat, adjacent to hundreds of acres of agricultural fields owned by another Sacramento developer, is not smart growth. Energy efficiency does not justify approval of a growth-inducing development project.

Building on greenfields, far from the urban core, with a land use plan insensitive to the existing neighbors and wildlife, is bad planning. There is no reason why the same energy efficient project could not be located on an existing infill site.

The activists who control our local Sierra Club chapter opposed the Mace Ranch Community Park and Korematsu Elementary School because children would play next to an open field where owls had burrowed.  Now that same small group is trying to convince voters to approve 191 housing units, with 475+ residents living a few feet away from the existing Wildhorse owl preserve. Their position is about politics, not preserving the environment.

The horse ranch was designated as “agricultural open space” in the Wildhorse development plan approved by the voters in 1995. There is no reason to reward the current land speculator by approving Measure P, especially when most of the homes will not be affordable to even moderate income families.

Even if the horse ranch is not a viable long-term use, three and four story buildings sandwiched between existing single family homes and an owl preserve is not an acceptable plan. Vote No on Measure P.

Sheryl Patterson

Sheryl Patterson and her family moved to Davis in 1993 and they live in Mace Ranch. She has been active in PTA/PTO school organizations and has served on the City Planning, Open Space, and Business and Economic Development Commissions.