Other Growth Measures

Ventura County voters on Tuesday will face two countywide ballot measures dealing with growth control, Measure A and Measure B.

MEASURE A

Measure A would not directly change land-use laws, serving instead as a poll on whether county residents support the recommendations of the Agriculture Policy Working Group, a panel that studied farmland preservation. The measure also asks voters to endorse a proposal to start a new government district to buy farmland and open space.

The ballot language for Measure A is as follows:

“Should the County and each of its 10 cities establish growth boundaries preserving farmland, open space and scenic vistas by: (1) adopting by ordinance six existing and five proposed greenbelts and preventing uses incompatible with commercial agriculture; (2) prohibiting changes to external community boundaries unless approved by voters, including amendments no more than once every 10 years; and (3) forming an Open Space / Agriculture Conservation District to receive public / private funds to acquire open space and farmland?”

MEASURE B

Commonly known as the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiative, Measure B would prevent politicians from rezoning farm and open space lands outside cities for development without voter approval through 2020.

The ballot language for Measure B is as follows:

“Should an ordinance be adopted requiring, with limited exceptions, a vote of the people for changes to the county’s general plan open space, agricultural and rural policies and land use designations for the unincorporated areas of the county until the year 2021 or until the ordinance is earlier repealed by vote of the people?”