Council Fights SOAR With Alternate Plan

Hoping to head off a slow-growth initiative, the City Council has adopted an alternative measure to appear on the November ballot that would allow building on 1,527 additional acres.

Dozens of residents packed the council’s meeting Tuesday night, many to speak out against the proposal, which permits more development.

“I’d like to do what I can to help keep this valley unique, instead of turning it into a carbon copy of any other town,” said Jennifer Thomas, who moved to Fillmore a year ago. “I don’t think it’s selfish to try to protect the agricultural part of this area.”

Thomas, who comes from a family of Orange County citrus growers, said she knows the dangers of unchecked development.

Fillmore’s leaders “have not seen their town go from a clean, wholesome community into one with pollution, crime and traffic. I have.”

But growth in Fillmore is inevitable, said Councilwoman Linda Brewster. “We have to plan for growth. It’s going to happen.”

The Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative would limit Fillmore’s growth to within the current city boundaries unless voters approve otherwise.

By contrast, the city-sponsored ordinance would allow the city to develop beyond its boundaries into its sphere of influence, where it would permit building at least 1,000 luxury homes.