The vision that drives the Land Trust is one of diversity—a mosaic of lands across our landscape and a diversity of users interacting with the land. This mosaic includes the Pajaro Valley, which yields some of the healthiest fruits and vegetable on earth and includes one of the rarest and most productive habitats on the California Coast.

Yes on Measure Q

The Land Trust Board of Trustees has voted to endorse Measure Q, the voter initiative to extend the Urban Limit Line through 2040.

This measure will prevent irreplaceable and globally significant farmland and habitat from development. LTSC vigorously supported the Watsonville Urban Limit Line when it was first introduced. In two elections, the voters of Watsonville have overwhelmingly affirmed their support for protecting farmland with an urban limit line, which was created by the passage of Measure U in 2002 and reaffirmed by voters in 2013. We encourage them to do so again, and vote yes on Q.

Times change, and the drivers of public policy change too. But the importance of protecting farmland has not diminished, and development pressure has, if anything, intensified. Despite our belief in the importance of protecting farmland, endorsing this measure was a complicated and difficult decision. The high cost of housing is creating difficult living conditions and forcing lifelong residents out of their hometown. The burden of costly housing is disproportionately impacting people of color. This is injustice.

It is essential to provide affordable housing for working families.

While building on farmland is usually cheaper than infill development, there are options, and we call for a robust conversation as part of the next update of the Watsonville General Plan to determine where and how reasonably priced housing can be built, as soon as possible.

Yes on Measure R

The Land Trust Board of Trustees also voted to endorse Measure R, the sales tax measure to generate revenue for community services, including parks and trails.

Watsonville parks have been underfunded for years, with similar-sized cities having up to 12 times more park space. On June 14, 2022, the City Council approved a half-percent increase in the general sales tax measure for the November 2022 election.

Access to quality parks is essential to everyone’s well-being and mental health.

Measure R will provide Watsonville with greater access to safe, clean neighborhood parks. The measure ensures every penny stays in Watsonville. No funds can be taken away by the state, and out-of-town visitors will pay their fair share. In addition, an independent citizens’ oversight committee will be formed to ensure funds are spent as voters were promised. Required and essential purchases like groceries and prescription medicine will be exempt from the sales tax.

The Land Trust is taking positions on both measures that impact the Watsonville community because we are Watsonville’s Land Trust. These measures, which would protect and provide management resources for open space in and around Watsonville, advance our mission to protect, care for and connect all residents of Santa Cruz County to our natural and working lands.

For more information on Measure Q, visit: https://www.watsonvilleplannedgrowth.org/

For more information on Measure R, visit: https://www.voteyesonr.info/ –