Contra Costa County's Measure A leans toward passing

MARTINEZ - Voters appear to be once again backing a decades-old anti-sprawl policy, according to early results Tuesday night.

If approved by a simple majority, Measure A would keep in place a boundary meant to prevent suburban sprawl and protect open space.

The policy has been on the books since 1990, when the initiative was first put on the ballot. The goal has been to maintain a 65/35 land preservation standard, with only 35% of county land used for urban development.

As of Tuesday night, Measure A had received 68.94% votes in favor and 31.06% in opposition.

By preventing sprawl and focusing development near existing infrastructure and services, the county could prevent what it calls an "inefficient use of land" that would add to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

The initiative was reapproved in 2006, when voters extended the Urban Limit Line policy for another 20 years. Under Measure A, the policy would be extended through 2051.

The Urban Limit Line has largely been considered a noncontroversial issue, having been adjusted six times over the past 36 years with little opposition.

But the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association has launched a campaign against the measure out of concern the limits will hamper new home development at a time when the state is grappling with a housing crisis.

About 11,100 acres would no longer be developable under the new Urban Limit Line boundaries proposed under Measure A, but more than 1,600 acres would be added to the developable side of the line. That creates a net reduction of 9,460 acres that can be built on.

That land is largely already considered undevelopable because it's made up of steep hills, in fire or flood zones or is being turned into public space by the East Bay Regional Parks District, according to a county map.

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