How do we keep the “beast from the south” from swallowing Lodi whole? Or is this a battle that has already been lost?

I have followed the City of Stockton’s attempt to update their general plan and is seems that there is little interest on the part of the Stockton community as a whole to create any form of buffer between our two towns. Will this result in eventually sprawl? From the forecasted maps of the Central Valley for the year 2020 - most likely: yes.

Lodi has been talking about a greenbelt for over twenty years. We have yet to define what our vision of a buffer even is. Are we talking about golf courses, wetlands, parks, a “moat” or five-acre ranches? And in our quest, are we willing to pay the cost necessary to purchase the developer rights from the property owners in the proposed green belt? These indecision maybe our downfall.

A buffer between Lodi and Stockton is a great dream, but it will come at a high price. Outside of litigation, there may be no way to stop Stockton. And as far as I am concerned, I would rather have Lodi grow and benefit, than allow Stockton of mow us down. Council needs to get down to the business of working with the property owners in the proposed greenbelt and our county Supervisors to find solid policies to preserve open space.

Council just approved to spend some money to figure out our next move. However, I fear that it may already be too late.

JoAnne, From the days of “Go west young man” sprawl is what man does best. When you refer to the Stkn Community you are right. Even if the citizens may like the idea of a greenbelt, the people that represent them are the shakers and movers of the development, money, and real estate market who have their own agenda. Sounds to me like some of the Lodi shakers and movers who want a redevelopment agency so they can do all sorts of stuff without citizen voter approval.