State and national politicians are jumping on the anti-sprawl bandwagon like never before, with no less than Vice President Al Gore launching a "livability initiative." Gore's proposal, which President Clinton mentioned during the State of the Union speech, promotes mass transit, open space conservation and development within existing cities. Pundits expect Gore may make the issue a cornerstone of his presidential campaign. Although new California Gov. Gray Davis has yet to discuss the subject in detail, California lawmakers are likely to deal with a number of anti-sprawl proposals this year. Advocates of "smart growth" believe now is the time to advance their agenda because of the change in the governor's office. "Just suddenly, it has taken off like I've never seen it," said Judy Corbett, executive director of the Local Government Commission. Her Sacramento-based organization of mayors, city council members and county supervisors has been writing about smart growth principles for eight years. Why are others paying attention now? "I think the effects of urban sprawl are increasingly visible. And the New Urbanism movement started making the mainstream press," Corbett theorized. The details of proposals from government agencies and interest groups vary, but the basics are similar — concentrate growth in existing communities, limit further development of open spaces and farmland, and create alternatives to the single-passenger automobile. "If nothing else, I think it's coming onto the radar screen of a lot of people," said Rachel Dinno, the Planning and Conservation League's natural resources director. "I think we are all talking about the same thing." The PCL devoted part of a recent report on saving California's environment to prevention of urban sprawl. Whether they think halting sprawl is smart or stupid, land use policy analysts took note when the subject qualified for the State of the Union address. The fact that Clinton — who has proven masterful at recognizing what people care about — mentioned the topic indicates the public perceives problems with common development patterns, said Gary Patton, chairman of the California Futures Network. In his State of the Union speech, Clinton said, "All communities face a preservation challenge as they grow and green space shrinks. Seven thousand acres of farmland and open space are lost every day. "In response, I propose two major initiatives: first, a $1 billion Livability Agenda to help communities save open space, ease traffic congestion, and grow in ways that enhance every citizen's quality of life; second, a $1 billion Lands Legacy initiative to preserve places of natural beauty all across America — from the most remote wilderness to the nearest city park," said Clinton, who credited Gore's leadership of the proposals. The livability initiative combines and expands existing programs to create a $10 billion package. About $6 billion would go for expanded mass transit, road upgrades and developing alternative regional routes. Other portions would assist state and local governments with funding parks, improving water supplies and developing abandoned industrial sites. Tax credits would leverage private investment in targeted areas. The Lands Legacy proposal contains nearly $600 million for grants and loans to state and local governments and nonprofit land trusts to purchase open space, protect farmland and assist endangered species. Another $440 million would buy land for national parks and other conservation purposes. Sam Staley, director of the Urban Futures Program with Reason Public Policy Institute, contended the Livability Agenda is based more on politics than real threats to open space. He decried the "federalizing" of what has long been a local decision-making process. Staley authored a report in late January, called The Sprawling of America: In Defense of the Dynamic City, that argues the smart growth movement is based on a poor understanding of the facts. For instance, only 5 % of the nation's land is developed, and the loss of farmland has declined during the 1990s compared with the 1960s, according to Staley's research. Although he shares the Democratic Party with Clinton and Gore, Governor Davis has remained publicly mute on smart growth. "Right now, he is not focussing on these things," said Patton of the California Futures Network. The CFN describes itself as "a statewide coalition dedicated to economically, socially and environmentally sustainable land use." The organization conducted a "Smart Growth Summit" recently that attracted 700 government officials, environmentalists and advocates for various causes. Several state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, Treasurer Phil Angeles and Resources Secretary Mary Nichols, addressed the gathering. But the governor was absent. "The Davis administration is hanging back," added the Local Government Commission's Corbett. Still, Corbett sees other allies in Angeles, a Sacramento developer who has embraced the New Urbanism, and Nichols, who has strong environmental credentials. Hoping to get the attention of California's first Democratic governor in 16 years, the Planning and Conservation League and 26 other environmental groups in February recommended the state take the lead in what are often seen as local issues. "We must act now to curb sprawl. State government can make the rules that govern land use planning, financing and development in California's communities," the PCL report states. PCL recommended the state provide incentives for more compact development within identified boundaries, strengthen local agencies' ability to redevelop brownfields, link water supplies and development, help towns revitalize older neighborhoods, and provide money for protecting agricultural land. Dinno conceded that city councils and boards of supervisors have traditionally handled many of these issues, but, she said, the state should demonstrate leadership. "All jurisdictions need to be involved in this issue. It's not just a local issue, and even if it was the locals would be looking for money from the state," she said. But Timothy Coyle, president of the California Building Industry Association, warned, "We've got to be careful that smart growth doesn't mean dumb ideas." For instance, urban growth boundaries — which are part of most smart growth strategies — can cause leapfrog development, Coyle said. He pointed to Silicon Valley, where rapid job growth combined with limitations on housing construction caused real estate prices to escalate, driving development to Tracy, Manteca and Modesto. Thus, many Silicon Valley workers must live more than an hour's drive away in the Central Valley. Any growth strategy must contain provisions for adequate housing. Only about half as many housing units get built statewide as are needed, Coyle added. Developers are willing to build infill projects, but state and local government should streamline the approval process, ensure streets are safe and schools are good, provide decent infrastructure, and exercise common sense when enforcing environmental regulations, Coyle said. When those issues are resolved, builders will strongly consider the higher-density, infill developments that smart growthers say they want, he said. Even then, builders must convince local decision-makers and prospective home buyers, he added. "When we ask for higher densities in many jurisdictions around the state, we meet ‘no' from the decision-making body, or they hear ‘no' from their constituents," Coyle said. He pointed to a proposal to increase density in a portion of central Fresno from 2 units an acre to 2.6 units an acre. After great public outcry, the city rejected the upzoning. PCL's Dinno said middle-class families who for decades fled cities for the suburbs are taking a new look at cities because of proximity to jobs and cultural amenities. Infill development done properly can compete in the marketplace with houses in new subdivisions, she contended. Patton said suburbia's attraction is waning. "I think when we look back on this 100 or 200 years from now," said Patton, "it will be like the Industrial Revolution. When people are spending four hours a day in the car getting to and from their job, when they are apart from their family and community for that amount of time, there is a huge social cost." People on all sides are closely watching a $16 billion transportation bond bill introduced in February by State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Burton. The bonds would go before voters in $4 billion batches beginning in 2000. The all-important details of what the money would buy remain open for debate. Patton noted that development, labor and business organizations backed Burton's initial proposal. These groups often want the state to make money available with few strings attached, he noted. Both Patton, who also serves as executive director of LandWatch Monterey County, and Dinno said the state should reinvest in existing transportation systems before providing money for roads in undeveloped areas, perpetuating sprawling development. Contacts: Judy Corbett, executive director, Local Government Commission, (916) 448-1198. Gary Patton, chairman, California Futures Networks, (831) 375-3752. Rachel Dinno, natural resources director, Planning and Conservation League, (916) 444-8726. Sam Staley, director, Urban Futures Program, Reason Public Policy Institute, (310) 391-2245. Timothy Coyle, president, California Building Industry Association, (916) 443-7933.