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Press Release

November 11, 2002

Contact:
Solano-Napa Field Representative, 707-427-2308, *Photos Available
Ernest Kimme, Solano Orderly Growth Committee, 707-447-1555

NEW REPORT URGES SMART GROWTH FOR VACAVILLE

Subheading

Vacaville—Today Greenbelt Alliance and the Solano Orderly Growth Committee released a report entitled "Vacaville at a Crossroads: The path to smart growth or a highway to sprawl?" The report is based on comprehensive research at the national, regional, and local levels.

Today's report is timely because the City of Vacaville is expected to finalize its vision for Vacaville's future at the start of 2003. This vision will decide Vacaville's future course of development and will lead to an update of the City's General Plan. The City produced a draft vision for Vacaville's future in February 2002. This plan, entitled "Vision Statement: Vacaville 2025", proposes the annexation and development of over 4,000 acres of farmland and open space surrounding the City. This proposal is above and beyond the planned development of approximately 2,500 acres currently undeveloped within the present city limits. Together these proposed developments could cover over 6,500 acres, including the high quality farmlands and scenic valleys that make Vacaville unique.

"Vacaville at a Crossroads" addresses the sprawl development proposed by the City's draft "Vision Statement: Vacaville 2025", and emphasizes the high costs this sprawl development would have on the community. The negative effects of this sprawl development will impact transportation, housing, the environment, public health, farming, taxpayers, businesses, residents of new sprawl developments, and residents of older neighborhoods.

"More growth will come to Vacaville, just as it has the rest of the region", stated Natalie DuMont, a Vacaville native and Solano-Napa Field Representative of Greenbelt Alliance. "The question is how can we accommodate growth in a sensible manner that promotes our economic, environmental and community well-being? The answer is through smart growth."

This smart growth model would enhance the livability of Vacaville by expanding attractive and affordable housing choices, increasing transportation choices, locating homes, stores, offices, and community amenities within convenient proximity of one another, and valuing the farmland and open space that make Vacaville unique.

"The City should enact policies that promote smart growth in Vacaville's central areas, on vacant or redevelopable sites, thereby enhancing our community and preserving surrounding farmland and open space", asserted Ernest Kimme, Chair of the Solano Orderly Growth Committee, Board Member of Vacaville Community Housing, and former Vacaville City Councilmember.

Greenbelt Alliance and Orderly Growth are dedicated to help Vacaville take this livable path that will create a uniquely safe and livable community of which we, our children, and our granchildren will be proud. Orderly Growth is a Solano County citizens group that promotes the protection of agricultural land in Solano.

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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org