Preserves 381 Acres as New Permanent Public Open Space
YES on Y preserve 381 acres (93% of the property) of currently private property as new permanent public open space, ensuring Mt. Diablo’s foothills and the gateway to Mt. Diablo State Park (which represents over a mile and a half of pristine land along the southside of Diablo Road and east of McCauley Road) will be permanently protected and off-limits from future development. The local conservation group Save Mount Diablo supports this measure because it will permanently preserve hundreds of acres of open space that the public will be able to use and enjoy, as well as protect critical wildlife corridors and creeks.
Protecting Views: No Visibility of Homes from Diablo and Blackhawk Road
The people of Danville have worked hard to protect open space and viewsheds by restricting development on local ridgelines and hillsides. The current zoning allows for 78 large homes to be scattered across the hillsides of the 410-acre property, but YES on Y ensures only 69 lots will be clustered together on the flattest, least visible parts of the property, making hillside and ridgeline protections permanent on the Magee Preserve Property. No homes will be visible to motorists on Diablo Road and Blackhawk Road.
Adds Miles of new Public Trails to the East Bay Regional Park District
YES on Y collaborates with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to add miles of new public trails for the enjoyment of Danville hikers, bicyclists, dog owners and families and giving them access to new breathtaking views for the first time and forever. The new trails will connect Mt. Diablo State Park to Sycamore Valley Regional Park and the Iron Horse Trail, filling an important gap in the regional trail network. The project also includes a public parking lot and public staging area to give Danville residents access to the East Bay Regional Park District trail system.
Protecting Local Wildlife, Green Valley Creek and the Environment
YES on Y protects one and a half miles of Green Valley Creek. We are working in close collaboration with environmental resource agencies to prevent and repair erosion and enhance the natural habitat in and around Green Valley, creating a more sustainable Creek and improved habitat for the wildlife—like the California red-legged frog—that live here. In fact, the project establishes a special conservation easement for preservation of the sensitive California red-legged frog and wetland habitat.
New Safer Options for Bikers and Walkers
YES on Y provides land to the Town to fulfill their long-planned multi-purpose path along Diablo Road, creating a new, safer alternative for Danville cyclists and walkers to Mt. Diablo. Without the dedication of this land from Magee Preserve, it would not be possible for the trails to be extended. What’s more, a new bicycle and pedestrian path will be constructed within the project, which will extend from Blackhawk Road through Magee Preserve and meander along the restored Green Valley Creek riparian corridor and lead the way to a network of East Bay Regional Park hiking trails and the Town’s planned future pathway along Diablo Road. The project is supported by every one of Danville’s major bike groups, including Bike East Bay, Mount Diablo Cyclists, Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Club, and the leaders of the San Ramon Valley Mountain Bike Club.
Magee Preserve Does Its Fair Share to Reduce Congestion and Wait Times that have been a major issue in danville for a very long time
Traffic has been an issue in Danville for decades. Magee Preserve will make the first improvements at the Green Valley and Diablo Road intersection in years. Pending County approval, Magee Preserve will install a "smart" traffic light at the Mt. Diablo Scenic intersection—at no cost to taxpayers—to allow more cars to flow more efficiently and more safely through the Diablo Road corridor and help ease a long time traffic problem in Danville.
Fire Experts: Meets or Exceeds Fire Safety Standards
Safety is a top priority for YES on Y and Magee Preserve. The project has been meticulously reviewed by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) with the safety of every Danville senior, child and family in mind. The SRVFPD has confirmed its ability to adequately respond to fires and emergencies at and near the project site and Frank Drayton, SRVFPD’s Deputy Chief Operations/Logistics & Fire Marshal said that the project does not negatively impact emergency response times along Diablo Road and exceeds the requirements of California’s fire code by providing a new emergency vehicle access route as an alternate emergency access along Diablo Road to help speed evacuation and give local residents additional routes out of the area in the case of a wildfire evacuation.
$1.5 Million in New Annual Tax Revenue for the Town
Magee Preserve will generate $1.5 million per year in new tax dollars for local schools and Town services, including public safety, road repair, and parks and recreation.