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Residents, farm bureau urge supervisors to revisit Measure D; others warn of risks
Summary
During public input, residents and Alameda County Farm Bureau leaders urged the board to modernize Measure D to allow smaller agricultural parcels, agritourism and ancillary farm uses; other commenters cautioned that reduced minimum parcel sizes could encourage luxury ranchettes rather than viable farms.
At the Jan. 8 planning meeting a string of public commenters urged Alameda County supervisors to prioritize revisiting Measure D, the voter‑approved Save Agriculture and Open Space Initiative, arguing the measure’s restrictions have made small‑scale agriculture infeasible and contributed to the decline of local farming.
Griffin (who identified himself by first name) told supervisors that minimum parcel sizes under Measure D lock out working families and first‑generation farmers and urged the board to advance a 2026 ballot measure to modernize the policy. Jerry D. Miller (introducing himself as Griffin’s father) and other residents echoed concerns that Measure D’s limits on ancillary uses and building intensity undermine farm viability.
Representatives of the Alameda County Farm Bureau addressed the board. David Najarian, who identified himself as president of the Alameda County Farm Bureau and a local farmer, described the county’s climate as valuable for agriculture but said Measure D prevents conversion of large parcels into smaller, affordable parcels needed for new farmers. Janessa Hoffman, the Farm Bureau’s executive director, said Measure D has imposed restrictive land use policies that she said are undermining agriculture and urged the board to initiate changes to support agritourism and diversification.
Not all commenters supported immediate parcel‑size reductions. One resident with decades of ranching experience warned that shrinking minimum parcel sizes to five acres could lead to “luxury ranchettes” that are not productive farms. Matt Turner, who identified himself as an unincorporated resident and longtime rancher, said reform may be needed but cautioned against reforms that would eliminate viable farming by creating hobby estates.
The board did not take action at the meeting to amend Measure D; public input closed and the meeting adjourned. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize the issue in 2026.
