Politics & Government

Council Calls Regional Government Development Plans Unrealistic

Council gets update on regional efforts to develop sustainable communities

Regional plans for sustainable community development may be unrealistic for Newark, city council members said during Thursday's council meeting

Their concerns stemmed from a presentation on the Initial Vision Scenario of the Sustainable Communities Strategy that is based on projections from regional agencies.

Councilwoman Ana Apodaca was not present at the meeting.

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According to the council's agenda, the strategic plan calls for all metropolitan regions in California to center its planning processes around the following objectives:

  • Provide a new 25-year land use strategy for the Bay Area that is realistic and identifies areas to accommodate all the region's population, including all income groups
  • Forecast a land use pattern that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions if integrated with a transportation system

The plan estimates that by 2035 the region will see population growth of two million and encourages growth in already developed communities.

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The regional agencies who oversee the projections include the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments.

The regional Initial Vision Scenario projects that Newark must plan for an increase of 5,800 residential units and 2,750 new jobs in the next 25 years.

Community Development Director Terrence Grindall said the regional agencies' projections for residential units are higher than what the city's general plan calls for.

"The numbers they have need to be adjusted for what planning we have," Grindall said.

Mayor Dave Smith agreed that the project numbers for residential units are higher than the actual growth in population in Newark.

"It's achievable, but the pieces to the puzzle have to reflect reality," Smith said.

Huezo called the estimations "more artificial than anything else."

Grindall said city officials plan to forward their concerns to the regional agencies.

He also said support from those agencies are needed to make the development successful.

"We need support from regional government if we're going to make this commitment to make Newark more sustainable," Grindall said.

Council members also discussed slated for west Newark. 

Their thoughts of the initial plans, which were drafted by Pleasanton-based Dahlin Group Architecture-Planning, were positive but Councilmember Alan Nagy said he wants to make sure what they see is ultimately what will be developed.

Huezo added that he is happy that the contaminated land, once a site for industrial businesses, will be cleaned up through this project. However, he said he had one disappointment.

"I would like to see more parks... I saw 16 acres over roughly 200... That's about 8 percent," Huezo said.

Also at the Thursday's meeting:

  • The council approved to sign an agreement with Joel Nelson Productions, Inc. for the 2011 Music at the Grove Program, authorizing three live professional musical entertainment events at Shirley Sisk Grove. The events will be held July 17 and 31 and Aug. 14. Joel Nelson Productions, Inc. will be paid $15,000 through a contribution by NBC and various corporate partnerships, according to the council's agenda.
  • The council established the number of residents in Newark to determine the voluntary campaign spending limit of $1 per resident for candidates for city elective offices in the the Nov. 8 election. The number was set at 44,380 residents, making the voluntary campaign ceiling $44,380..
  • Resident Mona Walker was honored for receiving the ANG News "Hometown Hero" Award in March. Walker, 82, is retired but continues to volunteer with Seniors in Schools in Newark.
  • Council members invited the community to the Cinco de Mayo Celebration hosted by Latinos Unidos de Newark. The event will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Ash Street Park, 37365 Ash St.


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