Santa Cruz County is at a crossroads...
In December 2007 the Board of Supervisors approved two Major Amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan that will change our county forever. Developers from Phoenix and Tucson have been given the green light to build massive developments in the northwest part of the county at almost nine and thirteen times the number of houses allowed by current zoning, plus two golf courses, two resorts and over one million square feet of commercial space. These two developments could add over 45,000 people to the county.
If these plans move forward, the northwest county will be transformed from rural to urban. The unique heritage of Santa Cruz County will disappear in a sea of houses and strip malls. These amendments gut the County’s Comprehensive Plan and set a dangerous precedent for irresponsible growth countywide.
How will these developments impact you?
Increased taxes - Do you want your taxes raised to pay for new schools, fire and police protection, and road and bridge maintenance for these developments?
Threat to our water supply - Can we afford to risk this limited resource by allowing a precedent for upzoning?
Competition for Nogales and Rio Rico businesses - How will our established businesses compete with a massive new commercial center in the north part of the county?
Overburden our schools - Don't the children who live here now deserve the best?
More traffic - Do you want the increased traffic, noise and pollution this population increase will bring?
Loss of the natural beauty of our rural areas - Do you want to sacrifice our open space, riparian areas, wildlife corridors and dark skies to become the next Chandler or Mesa?
The citizens of Santa Cruz County can save our county from exploitation by outside developers. Propositions 400 and 401 will be on the ballot in the November 2008 election. A“NO” vote on both propositions will overturn the decisions to approve the Sopori and Las Mesas developments, restore the county’s plan for responsible growth, and protect our special heritage.
We need your help!
NEW! Click to View the "NO on 400 & 401" Video on YouTube.
Photography by Murray Bolesta. Cartoon art by Richard Lasley.