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Meeting Date: April 8, 2025
Subject: Urban Limit Line Presentation
Submitted For: BIMAC
Information:
At the February 25 Board of Supervisors meeting, Department of Conservation and Development staff made a presentation on a potential 2026 ballot measure to renew the County’s Urban Limit Line (ULL) and 65/35 Land Preservation Plan. The 65/35 Plan and ULL were originally adopted by countywide vote in 1990 and extended by the voters in 2006.
In a nutshell, the 65/35 Plan limits urban development (residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use land uses) to no more than 35 percent of the land in the county and preserves the remaining 65 percent for agriculture, open space, and similar low-intensity, non-urban uses. The ULL contains urban development and prevents sprawl by establishing a boundary beyond which no urban land use may be designated in the County General Plan. Needless to say, the 65/35 Plan and ULL tremendously impact development and preservation efforts across the county.
The 2006 extension expires on December 31, 2026. The Board directed DCD to take steps necessary for placing a measure on the June 2026 Primary Election ballot to extend the 65/35 Plan and ULL for at least another 25 years. Part of this effort includes public outreach. DCD presented a public outreach plan to the Board that includes forwarding to the MACs the ULL materials the Board reviewed and attending MAC meetings to discuss the issue upon request of each MAC.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE presentation by Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development staff on potential 2026 ballot measure to renew the County's Urban Limit Line (ULL) and 65/35 Plan Preservation Plan.