Please help me and others protect Banning Ranch!
Here is an excerpt from a questionnaire Chris filled out for an endorsement from a major environmental group regarding the proposed Banning Ranch development.
- What do you anticipate will be the three most important environmental issues that you will face if elected, and what actions do you propose to resolve them?
The top environmental issue I foresee is the proposed development of Banning Ranch. This beautiful public land must be protected. I believe through grass roots efforts and a common sense approach we can show that the environmental cost and the costs of rebuilding the areas infrastructure will far outweigh any positive benefit. The second most important issue is the conservation of water. I would like to see the city and its residents really try to go above and beyond the norm and preserve water and provide an example for other municipalities to follow. And lastly I would like to see new “greener” building codes be implemented on any new construction to help curb increases in environmental impact. Incentives should also be provided for residents and businesses to make their buildings more environmentally friendly.
- Banning Ranch is 412 acres in unincorporated county land and Newport Beach. What is your viewpoint on developing Banning Ranch? If you wish it to remain undeveloped how do you think that could be accomplished? What could the city of Costa Mesa do to accomplish this?
In no way should Banning Ranch be developed. We all understand that there will be impacts on the environment and population density. An appeal to the owners of the property would be a first step, but realistically I believe that the property will have to be purchased to be protected ideally by the people of the surrounding community. We will have support from our Newport Beach neighbors. Fifty years down the road I envision Banning Ranch being our Central Park.
Chris is serious about protecting what little opens lands we have left. Please support McEvoy and others who have mobilized to protect one of natures great last landscapes.
