American Canyon makes Housing History

Sunday, October 19, 2003

Finally, Napa County's leaders have come together under one roof to solve one of the valley's most vexing problems -- how to satisfy the state's "fair share" housing rules in an agricultural setting.

The solution -- sharing the burden and the benefits between Napa's two largest cities -- came only after hundreds of hours of negotiations among key leaders in county and city government.

These leaders -- Bill Dodd, Mike Rippey, Brad Wagenknecht, Jill Techel, Kevin Block, Don Colcleaser, Ben Anderson and Lori Luporini -- deserve congratulations, and thanks.

The housing agreements reached between the county and those two cities represents more than just a temporary solution to an ongoing problem.

It could set a valuable precedent for other agricultural counties that face the same dilemma Napa County faces: How to provide housing without hurting agriculture.

Napa's leadership proved that housing quotas can be met -- even in unincorporated agricultural areas -- if cities are willing to negotiate in good faith.

Faith was required in this Napa County agreement because it is based largely on a prediction of cooperation from Napa County's Local Agency Formation Commission, made up of two county supervisors, two city councilmembers and a member at large appointed by the other four. Cooperation will also be needed from the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, which includes elected representatives from the county and its cities.

LAFCO will seal the housing agreement if it allows American Canyon annex land in exchange for providing the state-mandated "fair share" of housing for Napa County.

We are confident that American Canyon's faith was well-placed and that, when the time comes, LAFCO will make its decisions based on what is best for all county residents.

By having faith, Colcleaser, Luporini and company buried decades of distrust between county government and American Canyon.

By meeting American Canyon halfway, LAFCO can add its shovel of dirt to the burial process.