Oakley Issues that need Public Debate

By Brad Nix

Public debate on several critical issues, such as economic development, fire services, affordable housing, and other issues is needed to make sure that the council is responsive to the public.

1. What type of business development should Oakley be trying to get at DuPont? Large retail or a few small stores and vineyards as some say? The current plan is for large retail. Without that retail development, Oakley will continue to send most of its sales taxes to other cities and be consigned to very limited city services for its residents.

2. What should be done with the vineyard area north of the railroad at the DuPont site? Should we seek offices to provide jobs for Oakley's many commutors or seek a winery which will bring tourist traffic but very few jobs.

3. Should the developer of the six towers of affordable housing be allowed to build 450 more units of affordable housing at that site? (That means up to 9 more buildings.) If that is allowed, who will pay for the increased police and other city services required and how will that affect attempts to bring the high end large retail into Oakley across the street that so many residents have said they want?

4. Should the City Council continue to encourage affordable housing to be built in Oakley? State law only requries that we zone for such development, not that we encourge it or build it. Either way, where should that affordable housing be placed? Should it be dispersed throughout Oakley or all in one place?

5. What should be done with the large parcels totaling some 12 acres, north of Main street, south of the railroad and west of the Vintage Parkway bridge? Should it be retail or some sort of performing arts center? If it is to be a performing arts center, will the residents pay the higher taxes required to pay for that?

6. The recent housing problems have hurt us all, should we continue to build housing, or is it time to consider limiting the number of housing permits issued each year?

7. In view of the large number of foreclosures, what has happened to property values, and the large increase in rentals within Oakley, should we seek larger lots with larger homes or continue to build smaller and smaller lots?

8. Should Oakley residents pay an additional tax to bring our fire services up to Consolidated Fire standards? If not, should we agressively seek new businesses to bring in the funding?

9. Older Oakley homes pay far lower assessment rates for parks and landscaping, in some cases zero. Should we use City general funds to raise the level of landscaping and/or to build and maintain parks in those areas?

I am sure that there are other issues of concern and invite discussion of any others that the public wishes to raise.