Bay Area Citizens File Suit Against ABAG and MTC

Bay Area Citizens filed suit this past Tuesday on behalf of its members and the public interest against Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) over their adoption of their master regional zoning plan, Plan Bay Area.  Plan Bay Area mandates that 80% of all new housing units in the Bay Area in the next 27 years be high density, multifamily, multistory units in crowded city centers, requires 66% of all new jobs to be sited in the same locations, while it dramatically under funds roads and bridges and raises the cost and inconvenience of driving to Bay Area residents.  And, even according to ABAG and MTC's own analysis, these heavy handed policy elements will have only an infinitesimal impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Their own models show only a 1.2% difference in greenhouse gas emissions attributable to these policy prescriptions over doing nothing at all in 2040.  Table 3. 1-28, Draft Environmental Impact Report, p. 3. 1-59.

This suit resulted from the efforts of citizens who care deeply about their communities, up against powerful, well-funded interests who have their own ideas as to how and where we should be permitted to live, and how we should travel-regardless of what we wish.  This suit is the result of the tireless, faithful efforts of hundreds upon hundreds of average citizens around the Bay Area who have been raising substantive, significant concerns about the Plan and the process.

The Press release can be found here:
http://www.pacificlegal.org/Release/Lawsuit-says-Plan-Bay-Area-drafters-wore-blinders

The four minute announcement video is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqo0RdlH1Gg

While they are all volunteers, and their attorney's fees will be covered by the public interest law firm that has taken their case, Bay Area Citizens will be responsible for the court costs, and especially the administrative record.  They estimate they will have to raise about $20,000 for the administrative record, and will need to do so within 60 days of their filing suit, August 6, 2013.

If people want to help with the costs of the suit, they can send a check here:

Bay Area Citizens
3527 Mt. Diablo Blvd. #358
Lafayette, Ca. 94549

or donate online here:
http://anedot.com/campaigns/cbc4fd1f521/donations/new

It's not an IF.  This "Plan" will change life as we know it, forever!

To become a member of Bay Area Citizens, simply send an email to bayareacitizens@yahoo.com, including your first and last name, an email address and city of residence.

Thank you!