A former family doctor, Manuel Marquez, MD, now is a tour director, serving as a group leader for participants in Road Scholar, which sponsors educational tourism in California. In his charitable work, Manuel Marquez, MD, supports Save Open Space & Agricultural Resources of Ventura County, also known as SOAR.
Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ventura County’s beaches, hills and mountains attract many Angelenos looking for an alternative to urban sprawl. To protect Ventura’s semi-rural appeal, SOAR established a series of ballot initiatives that restricted rezoning for development. SOAR claims it has the nation’s toughest protections against excessive growth.
Under these rules, a majority of voters must approve each rezoning request for unincorporated, rural, or agricultural acreage. These limitations were approved in 1995, renewed in 2016, and extend to 2050.
SOAR has created many benefits for Ventura County residents. It has preserved the identity of cities by preventing them from growing into one large urban area. By saving wildlife habitats, SOAR has helped the survival of endangered species.
Cleaner air and water also result from controlled growth; the organization says it measures enhance the economy, preserving the county’s rich farmland and attracting environmentally friendly businesses. SOAR’s limits on development have reduced the number of cars on the road and kept congestion down.
Finally, SOAR’s emphasis on open space allows citizens the pleasures of visiting Ventura’s parks, and leads future generations to sustainable living.
Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ventura County’s beaches, hills and mountains attract many Angelenos looking for an alternative to urban sprawl. To protect Ventura’s semi-rural appeal, SOAR established a series of ballot initiatives that restricted rezoning for development. SOAR claims it has the nation’s toughest protections against excessive growth.
Under these rules, a majority of voters must approve each rezoning request for unincorporated, rural, or agricultural acreage. These limitations were approved in 1995, renewed in 2016, and extend to 2050.
SOAR has created many benefits for Ventura County residents. It has preserved the identity of cities by preventing them from growing into one large urban area. By saving wildlife habitats, SOAR has helped the survival of endangered species.
Cleaner air and water also result from controlled growth; the organization says it measures enhance the economy, preserving the county’s rich farmland and attracting environmentally friendly businesses. SOAR’s limits on development have reduced the number of cars on the road and kept congestion down.
Finally, SOAR’s emphasis on open space allows citizens the pleasures of visiting Ventura’s parks, and leads future generations to sustainable living.
