One of Contra Costa’s great planning successes has been the county’s Urban Limit Line, designed to protect open space from suburban sprawl.

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The environmentally responsible growth boundaries, approved by voters in 1990 and renewed in 2006, headed off the threat of development up the slopes of Mount Diablo and on farmland and scenic ridges.

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Once again, the Urban Limit Line is on the ballot for renewal, this time for 25 years. Voters in the June 2 election should approve Measure A.

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All five county supervisors, environmentalists including Save Mount Diablo and Greenbelt Alliance, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, whose district includes most of the county, and the business-oriented East Bay Leadership Council support the renewal.

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Meanwhile, the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association is trying to portray the measure as a threat to needed new housing. That’s simply not so.

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There is plenty of land available within the confines of the Urban Limit Line for new construction. At least 63,000 housing units could be built there, increasing the supply by at least 15%, according to conservative county estimates.

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We need to build more housing, but we need to build smartly. The planning boundary steers growth away from the more environmentally sensitive and fire-vulnerable areas.

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By channeling growth to existing urbanized areas, the Urban Limit Line ensures more efficient and cost-effective use of public services such as schools and police, reduces the length of commutes, minimizes the need for expensive freeway and transit expansion, and protects scenic open space for recreational use.

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Measure A would renew the 2006 county line with some minor changes primarily to account for existing development restrictions on public property and constraints such as steep hillsides and high fire danger.

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The county’s Urban Limit Line technically only applies to development outside city limits. But, to qualify for transportation funds under a separate voter-approved countywide measure, 16 of the county’s 19 cities have adopted the county line voters approved in 2006, and the remaining three cities adopted their own growth boundaries.

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It will be up to leaders of the 16 cities that use the county boundaries to decide whether they want to adopt the new line if Measure A passes or continue using the 2006 version.

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Most importantly, renewing the Urban Limit Line would send a signal to county and city leaders throughout Contra Costa that voters want smart growth, not environmentally insensitive sprawl. Vote yes on Measure A.

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