Guest opinion Guest opinion (October 14, 2005)

Bidding farewell to the American Dream
by LaVerne Spotorno

In an article "Yes, In My Backyard," Bill Leonard, member of the State Board of Equalization, shared housing facts confronting new homebuyers in California: "The median home price is $540,000. Cal. encompasses all top 10 least affordable housing markets in the nation. To reach the national average homeownership rate, 68.3 percent, we need 1.3 million new housing units immediately.

"That doesn't address the 6 million new residents our state will have by 2030. Elected officials are often harassed and even threatened with recall when considering new housing by residents who already have their homes and don't want anyone else to have theirs."

Sound familiar? The median-price home in Pleasanton is $815,000! When I moved to Pleasanton in 1968 we enjoyed a diverse income-level population. Grateful to have the opportunity to live in our little country town where everyone knew everyone, we welcomed all who shared that same American dream. So - what happened?

The dairies, farms and many ranches soon gave way to the demands for more housing, and later the need for office, commercial and industrial centers. In the 1990s pressure was put on city councils by newer residents to build fewer houses, provide for more "open space" and protect "the view," and council members succumbed to these demands, stating that "business brings in a broader tax base and fewer problems than housing."

The NIMBY attitude was established.

This call to "close the city gates" has resulted in terrible traffic congestion, pollution and skyrocketing housing prices that eliminate any chance of mixed housing. Our own children who grew up in this town and seniors who built this town, have no opportunity to buy housing that's affordable, rental properties are out of reach and "starter homes" are no longer available. Our own commercial ranch has suffered the consequences, too. Big rigs and equipment won't come from the Central Valley to meet our needs because of the terrible traffic. Affordable housing is non-existent for farm labor, and we're forced to travel to the Central Valley for agriculture supplies and equipment.

City development fees, land costs and density determine the price of housing. When a development plan is presented to city council, the outcry for scaling back the density results in more million-dollar homes. Yet residents and city council members make it clear they "don't want any more million-dollar homes." The very people demanding fewer homes to "preserve open space and their view" forget that their homes occupy what once was open space and someone else's view!

Pleasanton residents need to speak out against NIMBYism. Our elected officials must have the courage to do what is right for the common good of ALL Pleasanton, not just a "neighborhood minority." Where would any of us be living if those old-time farmers and ranchers had refused to sell their land and not even opened the city gates? It's time we all realize that NIMBYism is not only selfish, it's immoral, and bad for building a real sense of "community."
-LaVerne Spotorno is s 37-year resident of Pleasanton who is participating in this year's Leadership Pleasanton program. She is a rancher with her husband, Al Spotorno. On their pioneer-family ranch they raise sheep and cattle. The Spotornos have 14 grandchildren.

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