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If you don’t want us to build homes on this scenic land, then buy it. We’ve heard that refrain countless times from developers — often with justification.
Now Martinez voters in the June 7 election have a chance to let their city do exactly that — buy the land. They should grab the one-time opportunity.
They should vote for Measure F, which would levy a $79 annual parcel tax over the next 30 years so Martinez can acquire property along the city’s tallest ridgeline for preservation as open space.
The money would purchase the 297-acre Alhambra Highlands site in the south part of the city between Reliez Valley Road and Alhambra Avenue. The deal would protect the land for recreational use and head off plans for development.
Richfield Real Estate Corp. has permits that allow it to build 109 single-family homes there. It has agreed to sell the property to the city for $19.25 million. But if voters reject Measure F, Richfield plans to develop the land.
The Measure F tax would be $79 annually for single-family homes. For multi-family parcels, the fee would range from $160 to $5,500, depending on the number of units. The rate for non-residential parcels would range from $150 to $600, depending on lot size.
The tax is expected to bring in $1.2 million annually. The city plans to borrow money, by issuing bonds, to cover the purchase price and transaction costs. After making the annual payments on that debt, the city estimates it will have about $146,000 left each year.
It’s not clear whether that will be enough to maintain the land and eventually operate it as parkland. The one troubling part of this deal is that the city hasn’t figured out how much it will need for that.
Those costs should have been addressed before the ballot measure was brought to the City Council. If Measure F passes, the city and East Bay Regional Park District should work out a deal to ensure the land remains publicly accessible.
Meanwhile, this is a one-time opportunity to protect this beautiful property from development. Voters shouldn’t let it slip by. They should approve Measure F.
