Saving Working Landscapes

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan

The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan, started in 2006, is a long-range conservation strategy to enhance ecological diversity and habitat function in about two-thirds of South Santa Clara County. Designed to last 50 years, the plan will eventually lead to the permanent protection of 45,000 acres of habitat and working landscapes through a combination of easements and acquisition. In addition, the plan encourages building in the right places by curbing development from the most ecologically valuable lands supporting the endangered species. Development in these sensitive areas, primarily located on ranchlands, parks and natural areas, will be charged a mitigation fee.

Greenbelt Alliance is a part of Habitat Conservation Now.

Santa Clara County General PlanA statement of policies, including text and diagrams setting forth objectives, principles, standards and plan proposals, for the long-term future physical development of the city or county. The general plan is a legal document required of each local jurisdiction by the State of California Government Code section 653o1 and adopted by the city council or board of supervi¬sors. In California, the general plan has seven mandatory elements (circulation, conservation, housing, land use, noise, open space, safety and seismic safety) and may include any number of optional elements (such as air quality, economic development, hazardous waste, and parks and recreation). The general plan may also be called a city plan, compre¬hensive plan, or master plan. Health Element

Santa Clara County is embarking on an update of its general planA statement of policies, including text and diagrams setting forth objectives, principles, standards and plan proposals, for the long-term future physical development of the city or county. The general plan is a legal document required of each local jurisdiction by the State of California Government Code section 653o1 and adopted by the city council or board of supervi¬sors. In California, the general plan has seven mandatory elements (circulation, conservation, housing, land use, noise, open space, safety and seismic safety) and may include any number of optional elements (such as air quality, economic development, hazardous waste, and parks and recreation). The general plan may also be called a city plan, compre¬hensive plan, or master plan. starting with the health element. County general plans provide guidance on land uses in unincorporated areas where most of the open spaces and working landscapes are. The health element should identify community health objectives such as reducing obesity, access to healthy foods and safe environments for walking and biking. Greenbelt Alliance is working with county staff, local organizations and community leaders to ensure that the planning process includes all voices.

Morgan Hill

Greenbelt Alliance has a long history of working with Morgan Hill to focus its growth in the downtown core and appreciate the value local agriculture brings to its bottom line. We are happy to see Morgan Hill developing agricultural mitigation policies that have the potential to ensure local farms flourish. We are concerned about the proposed plan for the southeast quadrant, land that is not currently inside the city limits. Morgan Hill has plenty of room for growth within the urban growth boundaryAn urban growth boundary defines where development should and should not happen. The line circumscribes an entire urbanized area and is used by local governments to guide land-use decisions. and should focus its attention there. Any expansion planning should follow exhaustion of these opportunities and completion of the agricultural mitigation policies. Greenbelt Alliance is working with city staff, local groups and community leaders to help ensure Morgan Hill’s growth enhances residents’ quality of lifeQuality of life is not a tangible thing, and so cannot be measured directly. It consists of both physical and psychological components. The physical includes such aspects as health, diet, and protection against pain and disease. The psychological includes stress, worry, pleasure, and other positive or negative emotional states. and protects the unique opens spaces and working landscapes that surround it.