In an ongoing debate over open space and agricultural land policies, the Contra Costa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) will consider adding new and revised questions to the application all jurisdictions must complete when requesting changes to their Spheres of Influence. A proposed new Section 13 entitled "Agricultural and Open Space Assessment" asks applicants to demonstrate how the proposed boundary shift will mitigate its impacts on open space and agricultural lands. While public agencies are the applicants in SOI amendment requests, the responsibility for fulfilling the requirements typically fall upon developers/landowners. BIA|Bay Area will continue to advocate for a adoption of a simple agricultural preservation policy within the context of LAFCO’s broad responsibility to encourage orderly growth that provides critical housing and public services. Click here to view the agenda packet for the upcoming LAFCO meeting on Jan. 13, 2016. For questions or comments, contact BIA|Bay Area East Bay Governmental Affairs Executive Director Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-348-1956 or lvorderbrueggen@biabayarea.org.
