Natural Resources: Land Use Planning - Local Land Use in Martinez

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Martinez members of LWVDV support the concept of long-range planning for Martinez and the establishment of policies for implementing those plans.

Position In Brief:

The Martinez members of LWVDV support arrangement of land uses that will maintain or enhance the desirability of Martinez as a place to live for all its citizens. Consideration should be given to housing, traffic circulation, parks, recreation, and open-space needs, commercial and industrial factors, etc.

Position History:

(Established 1974; reviewed and affirmed annually)

The Martinez members of LWVDV support detailed planning to achieve specific goals, particularly:

- Maintenance of those natural features of the Martinez area which are visual and environmental assets.
- Preservation of the image of historic Martinez and rehabilitation of older structures where feasible.
- Retention of the major portion of the waterfront lands for open space, park, recreational, and related purposes. We oppose all industrial expansion or use in the waterfront area.
- Amelioration of the physical, financial, and social impact of the county complex on the Martinez area. We encourage the city to pursue actively county cooperation in making this impact desirable rather than detrimental. Areas of concern include:
- traffic circulation patterns;
- increased daytime population;
- occupants, visitors, or outpatients of the jail and hospital;
- parking problems;
- visual impact of parking lots and county buildings;
- loss of tax base to the city.
- Development of public facilities to serve the varying needs and requirements of neighborhoods in an adequate, balanced, and equitable manner, along with public transportation as a means of making community facilities accessible to all the dispersed areas.
- Establishment of strong, cooperative relationships with all agencies affecting the development of Martinez or the quality of life of its citizens. We are concerned about the effects of pollution caused by peripheral industry. Further, we feel annexation of unincorporated islands and intruding peninsulas is desirable.
- Continued governmental involvement in arousing public interest in planning.