Galt residents offer opinions on growth

With the release of Galt's draft General Plan, the community will be asked to comment on just how much or how little it wants Galt to grow in the next 20 years.

The comprehensive document, called Galt General Plan 2030, is a guide to the city's future growth, outlining where and what kind of development should take place within the city limits and land that should be annexed into the city. It also includes traffic and other planning issues.

Several residents interviewed on Sunday said they would like Galt to remain small, although a few maintained it should experience some growth to accommodate better city services.

Whether Galt should become a much larger city or remain close to its estimated 23,000 population has caused rancorous debate over the past several years, especially during City Council election campaigns.

The most recent example is the attempt by Protect Galt's Future to recall Mayor Andrew Meredith and Vice Mayor Donald Haines from the City Council. Meredith and Haines were elected in 2006, which shifted the council's balance of power from pro-growth to slow growth.

The seat of City Councilman Tim Raboy, also a staunch slow-growther, is up for re-election this year. He was not named in the recall attempt.

The public has until 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 to submit comments to Sandra Kiriu, Principal Planner, Galt Planning Department, 495 Industrial Drive, Galt, CA 95632. Comments may also be faxed to 744-1642 or e-mailed to skiriu@ci.galt.ca.us.

Printed copies of the document and a related environmental impact report are available for review at the following locations: Galt City Clerk's Office, 380 Civic Drive; Galt Planning Department, 495 Industrial Drive; and the Marion O. Lawrence Public Library, 1000 Caroline Ave., Galt.

CDs or printed copies may be purchased from the city clerk's office. Call ahead to 366-7130 to ensure availability.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

How much should Galt grow during the next 20 years?

Alaina Archuleta

"I think it should remain small because it's known for being a little town ... its flea market. Elk Grove is overcrowded. I don't think there should be (a Wal-Mart). It will bring in the outside influences. If you bring in a Wal-Mart, it's going to bring more houses."

Wayne Blankenship

"We need to set it up more like European towns and cities and less like the suburbia of the United States — more foot traffic, bicycling, more ability to walk to where you need to go like school, stores, work, services."

Holly Murphy

"I don't mind (growth). More businesses mean more jobs. I don't know about Wal-Mart, especially if it's open 24 hours. There is trash all over the place in areas where Wal-Marts are, especially if you go late at night."

Chris Newell

"Councils past — they've never prepared for the future. They haven't prepared for onramps and offramps. Right now, the city of Galt has a great little thing going on with the flea market. The city doesn't care about business."

Vince Clements

"I would like to see a slow, steady growth with proper infrastructure to handle it before the growth. They built houses like crazy. Now they're trying to catch up on services."

Diana Clements

"I hate (the size of) Elk Grove. Lodi seems to handle its growth just fine."

Dereck Run

"Not too fast, but gradual. A little bit more (growth) on the west side — a balance on each side."

Beverly Blankenship

"If they build the senior complex (in Oldtown), they'll need shops near them, like a little grocery store. Seniors can't afford SaveMart."

Irma Berreth

"I want to leave it as it is. There is too much crime now. I'm against Wal-Mart. I go to Wal-Mart in Lodi and Penney's."

Reader Feedback

dogs4you wrote on Jul 28, 2008 6:02 PM:

" Galt Citizen: just what is slow growth? 2% a year? Sounds like your tired of putting up with what you have at the present time, your the first person that wants a wal-mart. The way you make your city sound, its like something out of tobacco road. You either have to lead, follow or get out of the parade all together. There must be enough people in Galt that are willing to do the right thing. wal-mart is not the end of the world, its a great place for people to shop and bring in needed tax dollars at the same time. Get `er built. Now if Lodi would get off the pot and build one, there`s enough people to go around. "

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galt citizen wrote on Jul 28, 2008 4:48 PM:

" The citizens have spoken. The city council recently appointed were voted in on their slow-growth campaigns. we are tired of the one way streets in this town, overcrowded schools, not enough police officers. not enough places to shop. Bring in Walmart and the tax dollars will come. We need the revenue to infrastructure and to fund more police officers. The recall has no merit. "

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dogs4you wrote on Jul 28, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Everyone talks about Galt`s flea market, never been there and never will, I just might end up bying something I don`t need and at one time belonged to my neighbor. If people like the idea of leaving Galt in the dust, thats just fine with the business owners in Lodi, they be glad to take their money. And weezer is right, Elk Grove is a prime example of what not to do. "

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wtf wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:07 AM:

" Wayne Blankenship's suggestion of a European model is a good one. Everything within walking distance. It would be good for people's health and the good it would do for the environment would also provide a health benefit. "

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weezer wrote on Jul 28, 2008 8:33 AM:

" Elk Grove offers a good lesson on irresponsible growth.

Moderate your greed. "

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t&c wrote on Jul 28, 2008 7:49 AM:

" Galt has done the same thing as Lodi. Grown beyond its revenue to provide services and infrastructure for all those new residents in those overpriced homes already built in the last 15 years. Those that left the damage behind are the same ones pushing for superWalmart and a sales tax increase to finance yet more developments. The pyramid has topped out there's nowhere to go. "

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