Martinez Ballot Measures: City, Residents Battle Over Open Space

MARTINEZ, CA — Martinez residents and city officials are dueling to define open space regulations for new development on the June 5 ballot. Measure I, a "citizen's initiative," and Measure F, proposed by the City Council, are similar in wording. They both call for voter approval when any changes are made in designated "open space" areas, but their definitions of open space are critically different.

Measure I includes public areas and certain locations, like the Franklin Hills, that have both public and private ownership.

Measure F covers only public areas, and City Council members say the measure is designed to protect private landowner rights to expand while protecting public open spaces in other parcels.

Supporters of each measure have accused the opposition of fear-mongering and misinformation, with the City Council describing Measure I as riddled with mistakes, and Measure I drafters saying Measure F will turn
Martinez into a developer's playground.

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Tim Platt, proponent of Measure I and founding member of the Martinez Open Space and Park Protection Initiative, said the primary objective of Measure I is to give residents the final say in any development or changes to their community.

He said supporters of Measure I are sympathetic to a growing population that needs housing, but residents still need to maintain a "reasonable" quality of life with open green spaces.

"For us older [residents], boy, that's where we refuel from the pressures of the everyday world," Platt said, dismissing the idea that open space is a "luxury," rather than a basic need.

Platt insisted that Measure I abides by the city's general plan, and would not infringe upon residents who want to expand their home.

He noted that Martinez is the resting place for John Muir, a pioneer for public parks and wildlife protection, and said it's critical for children to have a connection with the physical world in their youth.

Platt cited three different projects as examples of what he said is the City Council's push toward overdeveloping Martinez -- homes at Vine Hill Way, Muir Station Road and Pine Meadow. None of those developments required a public vote, according to Platt.

Proponents of Measure I began petitioning for signatures in April 2017, but the Martinez City Council initially rejected the ballot measure.

A Contra Costa County Superior Court judge ruled that Measure I could remain on the ballot, and the City Council quickly designed Measure F as an alternative.

More than 500 parcels of privately owned land are included in Measure I. California law protects these homeowners from any rezoning, meaning they would not be kicked out of their homes, but Mayor Rob Schroder said Measure I would effectively limit property owners' freedom.

This would include property additions like a barn, "in-law" units, and other accessory units for single-family homes.

He added that the city's general plan is antiquated and hasn't kept up with the needs of the community, which is seeing population growth like the rest of the Bay Area.

Residents from Berkeley, Oakland and nearby cities are moving to Martinez because it is relatively affordable, and Schroder said millennials are attracted to the location because they see it as a "cute little town."

"If people are going to have places to live, we've got to look at some new ways of doing this," he said, explaining that future development will be focused in transit hubs and the city's downtown area, rather than
large open spaces like the Franklin Hills.

In addition, Schroder said Martinez has directed $30 million over the next 10 years toward refurbishing its dozens of parks, and the city is not lacking in public space.

Measure I is fueled by a "not in my backyard," mentality that is selfishly opposed to growth in Martinez, Schroder said.

If Measure I passes, Schroder said the city's lawyers will continue to fight it in court.

"It's going to be horrendous to try to implement this poorly written [ballot measure]," he said.

By Bay City News Service

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch