The San Benito County Growth Control Initiative does not take
away agricultural use of agricultural property.
Dear Editor:
The San Benito County Growth Control Initiative does not take away agricultural use of agricultural property.
If Caltrans widens Highway 156 through the San Juan Valley, that will be a taking of agricultural land because agricultural land is being taken and put into non-agricultural use.
The growth control initiative seeks to keep agricultural land in agriculture. Potential or imaginary speculative value on agricultural productive or rangeland, however, is not an individual’s property right.
This initiative does not preclude farmers and ranchers from selling their agricultural property as agricultural land.
As for Mr. Thompson’s analysis of property rights and takings as it relates to this initiative, might I suggest that he read the initiative again.
Section 4 clearly states, and let me say this again, that the provisions of this initiative do not apply if it is determined that they would be a taking of private property rights.
Janet Brians
Hollister
