Measure 49 Fixes Measure 37

We're Not Greedy Developers.
Wait, Maybe we are...

The Truth About Bob and April Jossy

Lately, the No on Measure 49 campaign has been circulating a letter from Bob and April Jossy which points out an interesting phenomenon: the most adamant opponents of Measure 49 are those with largest Measure 37 claims.  With almost $20 billion in Measure 37 claims filed so far, there are a lot of folks out there that stand to benefit financially if Measure 49 fails.

April and Bob Jossy are peculiar spokespersons for the No on Measure 49 campaign.  In their letter, they talk about how Measure 49 is going to "Shut Down Our Washington County U-Pick Farm" because they want to build 13 houses on their land.

Actually, the claims they are referring to are only two of the Jossy's seven Measure 37 claims.

The Jossys have filed a subdivision request to go forward with approximately 20 of their 30 planned houses.  Between 7 claims, they have demanded over $5 million in compensation:

State claims:

• three houses on three existing tax lots (1100, 1200, 1400)
• one dwelling on one existing lot (900)
• 15 houses on one lot
• 8 houses on one lot

County claims:

• One dwelling on one existing lot (1400)
• One dwelling on one existing lot (1100)
• One dwelling on one existing lot (1200)
• Three dwellings on two existing lots (11-1400)
• 15 lots and 15 dwellings (1900, 1901)
• One dwelling on one existing lot (900) - this claim is not contiguous

Here are the facts about the Jossys and why they are a strange choice to be spokespeople for the No on Measure 49 campaign:

• The Jossy's letter says they want to build their "13 homes" - but they have already been approved to build 23 homes.
  
• As stated above, the Jossys have actually filed seven Measure 37 claims for around 30 houses, and they demand at least $5 million in compensation from taxpayers if they are not allowed to develop this sub-division.
• They are free to create any number of homesites- up to 13 on their 67 acres at any time - and have been able to do so since they bought the property in the 1980's.  Neither Measure 37 nor Measure 49 changes that.
• Measure 49 will not change the Jossy's ability to move forward with any portion of the 13 homes they are supposedly asking for.
• Why is this all happening now? They could have moved forward with this subdivision years ago.

Measure 49 is designed to:

1. Help people add up to 10 homesites by granting transferability of development rights to their kids or a new owner; and
2. Limit the development of massive subdivisions on prime forestland, Exclusive Farm Use land and in water-restricted areas.