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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
El Dorado County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
Measure G
Initiative Measure Adopting A General Plan For The County Of El Dorado
El Dorado County

Majority Approval Required

13434 / 29.9% Yes votes ...... 31493 / 70.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Mar 3 0:18am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (117/117)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text

Shall Measure G be approved, adopting the general plan proposed in the Measure as the official General Plan for the County of El Dorado, and specifying those aspects of the General Plan that can be amended by the Board of Supervisors without voter approval?

Impartial Analysis from El Dorado County Counsel
If approved, Measure G will adopt the general plan proposed in the measure ("Measure G Plan") as the General Plan for El Dorado County.

Every county must adopt a general plan, which is a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of the county. It must contain seven mandatory elements: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open-space, noise and safety, and may contain optional elements. Subordinate land use actions like zoning and discretionary project approvals must be consistent with the general plan. Any general plan adopted will broadly affect all aspects of development in the County.

State law prescribes substantive and procedural requirements to be followed before the Board of Supervisors can adopt a general plan. Environmental review must be conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), and noticed public hearings held before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors before the Board acts. El Dorado County adopted a General Plan in 1996. In 1999, that General Plan was set aside because of a court ruling that the County had not complied fully with CEQA. El Dorado County is now preparing a new general plan and conducting the environmental review. A draft environmental impact report ("EIR") was issued by the County in May, 2003. It analyzes four alternatives in depth. Public comment has been received and County responses are being prepared. This CEQA process must be completed before the Board can adopt a new general plan.

Measure G would supersede the County's pending readoption proceedings, since voter sponsored initiatives are exempt from CEQA and other hearing requirements.

The Measure G Plan is based on, but is not identical to, the alternative entitled "the 1996 General Plan Alternative" analyzed in the EIR. One difference is that the Measure G Plan omits policies contained in the 1996 General Plan Alternative that require the provision of affordable housing in connection with residential development projects. The 1996 General Plan Alternative reflects the General Plan adopted in 1996, as amended through February 4, 1999, so that both it and the Measure G Plan contain the policies added to the General Plan by Measure Y, an initiative approved by the voters in 1998.

The effects of the Measure G Plan, and how these effects differ from those of other alternatives, cannot be described within the limits of this impartial analysis. Although the EIR does not address the Measure G Plan, the effects of that plan can be expected to be substantially similar to those of the 1996 General Plan Alternative studied in the EIR. Interested persons can view or obtain copies of the draft EIR at the County Planning Department, at County Libraries, or on the County's website.

Measure G provides that the Board may amend the land use map of the general plan (which assigns land use designations to specific property) without voter approval provided the amendments are consistent with the goals and policies of the general plan. The Board may amend the Housing Element to comply with law. All other amendments would require voter approval.

A "yes" vote is a vote to approve the measure.

A "no" vote is a vote against approving the measure.

Louis B. Green County Counsel

  General Links

General Plan of El Dorado County

County Counsel's Report on Measure G Initiative, December 12, 2003
Suggest a link related to Measure G
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure G Arguments Against Measure G
We urge your support of Measure G to enact a General Plan for El Dorado County. Lawsuits and backroom deals have prevented implementation of a General Plan and it's now costing taxpayers $1.5 million annually.

Currently there's no accountability for the planning process. Large out-of-area corporations benefit while locals cannot split their land for their children. Millions of dollars are being diverted to outside attorneys and consultants who never produce a workable final product. Vitally important local water rights contracts cannot be completed and government road funds cannot be obtained without a valid General Plan, and no end is in sight.

With a voter-approved General Plan:

  • Lawsuits will stop or be curtailed, saving taxpayers millions annually.
  • Local water rights can be secured.
  • Federal highway funds can be obtained.
  • Small property owners will have their property rights restored.
  • More funds will be available for public safety and education.
  • Local agricultural lands can be preserved and enhanced.
  • Local growth and development issues will be aired in public hearings.

When voters pass Measure G, county supervisors will regain local land-use authority and will be forced to hold public debates. The need for expensive outside planning consultants and attorneys will end. The county can proceed with pending water rights and supervisors can redirect county funds to public safety, education, road improvements and vital local services.

The constant battles between developers and environmental extremists have hurt our county's ability to make long-range planning decisions, yet California law requires that counties have a General Plan. El Dorado County is in violation of this law that was designed to protect local citizens. Measure G, the EDC General Plan Implementation Act, will enact a General Plan for El Dorado County.

Take back local control + vote "YES" on Measure G.

s/John Upton Former El Dorado County Supervisor, District 5

s/Wendell E. Smith President, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce

s/Doug Leisz Agriculturist & Professional Forester

s/Ellen Day President, El Dorado County Taxpayers Association

s/Richard W. Russell Business Owner & Consulting Scientist

Rebuttal to Arguments For
Vote NO on Measure G.

Measure G is an attempt by a small group of developers to hijack the County's General Plan adoption process to guarantee they can get their projects approved.

Our Board of Supervisors is only 6 months away from adopting a new General Plan after spending three years and a lot of money.

Measure G contains serious flaws:

  • Measure G doesn't have a sunset ending date. It goes on forever and can't be amended + even by County Supervisors.

  • Adopting a General Plan (Measure G) through the initiative process isn't a legal option provided by state law. This approach is legally unprecedented and will guarantee more lawsuits.

  • Measure G allows too much development. County population will increase 250% and traffic volumes will triple.

Measure G developers know El Dorado County residents are growing tired of lawsuits and growth battles. Measure G's ballot argument plays to these frustrations;

EXAMPLE: Developers say Measure G protects agriculture. NOT TRUE. The other General Plan alternatives protect agriculture. Measure G allows thousands of acres of farmlands to be subdivided on behalf of Measure G's campaign contributors.

EXAMPLE: Developers say Measure G "brings accountability to the planning process". Hardly. Measure G was written by a San Francisco attorney. The only "input" came from his developer clients. And there won't be any public input in the future because Measure G goes on forever and not one word can be changed without a county-wide vote.

Measure G is the WRONG way to adopt a BAD General Plan.

s/Kathi Lishman Mayor, City of Placerville

s/Charlie Paine El Dorado County Supervisor, District Four

s/Sam Bradley Measure Y Committee/Former El Dorado County Supervisor

s/Carol Patton Businesswoman/Planning Commissioner

s/Lorraine Larsen-Hallock El Dorado County Planning Commissioner

Measure G is a bad way to adopt a General Plan.

Measure G, if adopted:

  • Allows the County's population to increase by 250%.
  • Causes traffic volumes to more than triple.
  • Will cost the County millions of dollars to legally defend.
  • Lasts forever and can't be amended except by a county-wide vote.

In 1996, an extremely pro-development Board of Supervisors despite huge public opposition adopted the 1996 General Plan. Its adoption was quickly followed by approval of hundreds of new housing subdivisions, and a court challenge.

In 1999, the 1996 General Plan was judged illegal. New subdivisions were prohibited until adoption of a new General Plan and Environmental Impact Report.

Today El Dorado County is 6 months away from adopting a new General Plan. Last summer, four alternatives were released. One alternative is the old 1996 General Plan (Measure G). It allows the most development, results in the most traffic, and is the most expensive plan to provide service for. It is so out of balance that the Board of Supervisors indicated they would be unlikely to adopt it.

Two months later, a small group of developers filed the Measure G initiative. If passed, Measure G stops consideration of all other alternatives and immediately adopts the previously rejected 1996 General Plan.

Don't vote for the 1996 General Plan which:

  • Allows the massive El Dorado Hills housing developments.
  • Causes traffic to go to gridlock on Highway 50 and local roads.
  • Was thrown out by the court in 1999 for being inadequate, inaccurate, and illegal.
  • Has caused political turmoil for the last ten years.

Don't let special interests hijack our future.

Please vote NO on Measure G.

s/Charlie Paine El Dorado County Supervisor, District Four

s/Kathi Lishman Mayor, City of Placerville

s/Regan K. Asher, MD Environmental Planning and Information Council (EPIC)

s/Bill Center Whitewater Rafting Association/Former El Dorado County Supervisor

s/Sam Bradley Measure Y Committee/Former El Dorado County Supervisor

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
It's unfortunate but not surprising that the very people who benefit from the backroom deals, lawsuits and development battles that cost taxpayers millions are opposed to Measure G. These same extremists have been at the center of the lawsuits and turmoil and are now resorting to falsehoods and fear tactics.

  • Opponents could not name the "...hundreds of subdivisions..." they claim were approved after 1996!
  • NO judge ruled the 1996 Plan illegal!
  • Housing and Land Use Elements CAN be amended after adoption!
  • Developers did NOT file Measure G! A local taxpayer did.

Opponents to Measure G believe there's unlimited funds to study and restudy issues, although this process yields little more than contracts which enrich attorneys and consultants. Measure G is about breaking this vicious, costly cycle.

Traffic on local roads and Hwy 50 gridlock is worsening without a General Plan. Measure G prevents further gridlock by enacting Measure Y + requiring developers to pay the full cost of road impacts they cause.

Measure G helps protect local farmers and ranchers whose needs are being ignored.

Measure G is necessary because Supervisors aren't willing to adopt a General Plan, but keep funding studies while growth continues.

Property owners, farmers, businesses and commuters are supporting Measure G because they originally had input into its General Plan process.

Measure G offers solutions, not obstructions, and takes the politics out of planning.

Vote Yes on Measure G.

s/Wendell E. Smith President, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce

s/Doug Leisz Agriculturist & Professional Forester

s/Joann Shepherd Director, Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District

s/Jack Steele President, Cameron Park/Shingle Springs Chamber of Commerce

s/Michelle Van Horn Past President, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce

Full Text of Measure G
If approved, this initiative measure would adopt a general plan for the County of El Dorado. The proposed general plan that would be adopted is contained in the initiative petition. It is based on, but is not identical to, a proposed general plan alternative entitled the "1996 General Plan Alternative" which is described and discussed, along with other alternatives, in a draft environmental impact report issued by El Dorado County in May, 2003, (State Clearinghouse No. 2001082030), in connection with the preparation of a new general plan. Every county is required to adopt a general plan, which is a comprehensive, long-term plan for the physical development of the county. A general plan addresses all aspects of development. It must contain seven mandatory elements (two of more of which may be combined in a single element) and may contain any optional element that the county chooses to adopt. The mandatory elements are: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open-space, noise and safety. Subordinate land use actions, such as zoning ordinances, tentative maps, or development agreements, must be consistent with the general plan. El Dorado County is now in the process of preparing a general plan and conducting the necessary environmental review to allow the Board of Supervisors to consider adoption of a new general plan as a result of a 1999 court decision which held that the County had not complied in all respects with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in adopting a general plan in 1996. State law prescribes the procedures that must be followed before adoption by the Board of Supervisors. Environmental review of the proposed general plan must be conducted under CEQA. Other general requirements include noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and a recommendation by the Planning Commission. Initiative measures submitted to the voters by petition, in contrast, do not require compliance with CEQA or other procedural requirements applicable to adoption of a general plan by the Board of Supervisors. The initiative measure, if approved, provides that the Board of Supervisors may amend (1) the land use designations of properties in a manner consistent with the goals and policies of the general plan adopted by the initiative, and (2) the Housing Element as may be required either through consultation with the state Department of Housing and Community Development or state law. All other amendments to the general plan adopted by the initiative would require voter approval. The initiative contains no expiration date so that the general plan adopted by the initiative would remain in effect indefinitely unless repealed by the voters.

This document outlines the goals and policies that apply to the No Project and 1996 General Plan alternatives. Even though they share goals and policies, application of the policies would be dramatically different under the two scenarios.

August, 2003

General Plan Initiative Edits to April 2003 Version

Entire Document

  • Printed: All page titles read: "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives"
  • Revised To: All page titles to read: "El Dorado County General Plan"
  • Delete: All page footnotes date reading "April 2003"
  • Delete: County Seal on all pages
  • Delete: All references to 1996/No Project GPA

Delete following ENTIRE pages:
  • Inside cover page
  • Pages: ii and iii
  • Map following page 68 "Circulation Map for No Project Alternative"
  • Appendix A: Write of Mandate in its entirety

Page i
  • Printed: Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives - Table of Contents April 2003
  • Revised To: El Dorado County General Plan + Table of Contents

Pages 1-8
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Introduction"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Introduction"

Page 1
  • Printed: Draft No Project and 21996 General Plan Alternatives Introduction BACKGROUND April 2003 (at bottom of page)
  • Revised To: El Dorado County General Plan Introduction Omits entire "BACKGROUND" paragraph...go from title to.... ...Plan Purpose (continue as printed) Omit "April 2003" altogether

Page 3
  • Printed: "Footnote: Additional information about the custom, culture, and economic stability of El Dorado County can be found in Volume II of the County's General Plan."
  • Revised To: Drop entire line, footnote deleted

Pages 9-48
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Land Use"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Land Use Element

Page 9
  • Printed: "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Land Use Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Land Use Element"

Page 11
  • Printed: "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Land Use Element + April 2003"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Land Use Element"

Map Between Pages 48-49
  • Printed: "Land Use Map for the No Project and 1996 Alternatives"
  • Revised To: "Land Use Map for the El Dorado County General Plan"

  • Printed: "This is a reduced version of the `NO PROJECT AND 1996 ALTERNATRIVES LAND USE MAP' and is provided for reference purposes. The official `NO PROJECT/1996 ALTERNATIVES LAND USE MAP' is on file and available for review in the El Dorado County Planning Department."
  • Revised To: "This is a reduced version of the `El Dorado County Land Use Map' and is and is provided for reference purposes. The official `El Dorado County Land Use Map' is on file and available for review in the El Dorado County Planning Department, and is titled `No Project/1996 Alternatives Land Use Map'."

  • Printed: "Note: For the `NO PROJECT ALTERNATIVE', land uses shown on this map are constrained by the Writ of Mandate issued by the Superior Court of California'."
  • Revised To: Line omitted altogether + no replacement

Page 49-68
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Circulation Element "
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Circulation Element"

Following Page 68 New Map
  • Printed: "note: this is reduced version of the 1996 General Plan map and is provided for reference purposes. The official 1996 General Plan map is on file and available for review at the Department of Transportation."
  • Revised To: Note: This is a reduced version of El Dorado County General Plan Map and is provided for reference purposes. The official El Dorado County General Plan map is on file and available for review at the Department of Transportation and is titled "Circulation Map for the 1996 General Plan Alternative."

Pages 69 - 199
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Housing Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Housing Element"

Page 106
  • Printed: First line of Table HO-24 = "No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternative'
  • Revised To: Delete this line

  • Printed: Lines 8-22 of table beginning with "Roadway Constrained Six-Lane `Plus' Alternative" and ending with "Commercial (C)"
  • Revised To: Delete lines 8-22 of table

Page 134
  • Printed: "Policy HO-lf: The County shall require new or substantially rehabilitated discretionary residential developments to provide for housing that is affordable to low and moderate income households."
  • Revised To: Delete Policy HO-lf (Policy Intentionally Left Blank)

Page 135
  • Printed: "Policy HO-lk: Affordable housing in residential projects shall be dispersed throughout the project area."
  • Revised To: Delete "Policy HO-lk" (Policy Intentionally Left Blank)

  • Printed: "Policy HO-lm: Tor projects that include below market-rate units, the County shall require such units to be available for occupancy at the same time or within a reasonable amount of time following construction of the market-rate units."
  • Revised To: Delete "Policy HO-lm" (Policy Intentionally Left Blank)

Page 140
  • Printed: "MEASURE HO-C The County shall adopt a mandatory inclusionary housing ordinance that requires that a percentage of units in market-rate developments be affordable to very lo, lower and moderate income households. This ordinance will utilize the following methods to provide affordable housing: 1)Construction of housing on site; 2) construction of housing off-site; 3) dedication of land for housing; and 4) payment of an in-lieu fee. Development of this ordinance requires an analysis of the following variables: A. Limiting the application of the ordinance to developments exceeding a certain size. B. Percentage of housing units required to be set aside as affordable and their level of affordability. C. Design and building requirements D. Timing of affordable unit construction. E. Determination of a fee in lieu of developing affordable units. F. Developer incentives, such as cost offsets. G. Administration of affordability control. " [Policy HO-lf] Responsibility:Planning Department and Department of Community Services; Time Frame:Within one year of General Plan adoption; Funding: General Fund; Expected Outcome: Adoption of an inclusionary housing ordinance.
  • Revised To: Delete "MEASURE HO-C" in total + (Measure Intentionally Left Blank)

Page 179
  • Printed: (5th, 6th, 7th paragraphs of right-side table) "Housing Element Update: Currently, the County is evaluating four alternatives for a new General Plan. The acreage of vacant land to be devoted to MFR uses for each alternative is as follows: No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives. 810.4 acres in Community Regions and Rural Centers; Roadway Constrained Six-Lane "Plus"Alternative: 580.8 acres in Community Regions and Rural Centers; Environmentally Constrained Alternative: 517.8 acres in Community Regions and Rural Centers"
  • Revised To: "Housing Element Update: Currently, the County is evaluating this General Plan. The acreage of vacant land to be devoted to MFR uses is as follows: 810.4 acres in Community Regions and Rural Centers.

Pages 201-216
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Public Services and Utilities Element
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Public Services and Utilities Element"

Pages 217-230
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element"

Pages 231-248
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Conservation and Open Space Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element"

Pages 249-260
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Agriculture and Forestry Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Agriculture and Forestry Element"

Pages 261-272
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Parks and Recreation Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Parks and Recreation Element"

Pages 273-290
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Economic Development Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Economic Development Element"

Pages 291-300
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Tahoe Basin Element"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Tahoe Basin Element"

Pages 301-328
  • Delete: "April 2003" on all pages
  • Printed: Title of all pages = "Draft No Project and 1996 General Plan Alternatives Glossary"
  • Revised To: "El Dorado County General Plan Glossary"


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Created: May 4, 2004 14:40 PDT
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