Pathways Committee splits on whether to push 'green sheets' ballot measure; pathways inclusion disputed

The Pathways Committee spent a substantial portion of its meeting discussing whether to recommend that the city council place the town’s “green sheets” on the ballot and whether the pathways element should be included.

The chair moved that the committee recommend the council pursue a ballot proposition for the green sheets. “I make a motion that … we recommend to the city council that they try to make a ballot measure for the green sheets,” the chair said. Committee member Mike agreed a ballot proposition would be “appropriate,” while other members said they preferred delaying so pathways could be included or questioned whether the pathways element should be subject to popular vote.

One member opposed moving forward without pathways included. “I will not support that,” the member said, arguing that excluding pathways would let the city council make changes without a popular vote. Supporters replied that getting open‑space and commercial measures to voters now was preferable to waiting another one or two years.

Why it matters: The choice affects whether residents — rather than the city council alone — decide on specific provisions that can limit development or change the general plan. Committee members expressed concern about procedural timing and the effects on the general plan and master path plan.

What’s next: The transcript records a motion and second but does not record a definitive committee vote on a formal recommendation to the council; committee members agreed to discuss the matter further and to include guidance in the meeting notes recommending, when possible, that pathways be considered for inclusion in future ballot measures.