![]() Their measure also eliminates the right of Residents to vote on future changes to the Town Center Plan. The councilmen could even change the height and number of floors allowed. The councilmen's measure allows the city to continue their irresponsible approach to the development of Town Center, allowing them to change the rules on a project by project basis with concessions and questionable variances. The city council should have given the Citizen's initiative the "up or down" vote it deserves. ![]() Through the difficult initiative process, the Residents of Dana Point earned the right to vote on how they want to see their city developed. The city councilmen and their backers are desperate to defeat the people's Town Center Initiative through their reprehensible action. Their meaningless and deceptive measure serves only one purpose: To confuse voters ! If it passes with more votes than the 2015 Town Center Initiative it will cancel the voters initiative. It is the equivalent of a "NO" vote on the Citizens' Town Center Initiative. The council's measure is a deceptive smokescreen. That amendment was approved into law by the Council in September, 2015 but does not even have the required California Coastal Commission approval. Their measure changes no laws currently in effect and offers no indication of how they intend to develop Town Center other than their amendment to drastically reduce the parking requirements for new developments. You will find valuable information in that report, which I recommend you seriously consider prior to casting your vote for or against Measure H.Over the strenuous objections of Residents at the February 2 city council meeting, the councilmen voted to put a measure opposing the 2015 Town Center Initiative on the June 7th ballot. That is why we have elections every two years in November and term limits as well.Īt the very least, before making such a drastic decision, I encourage my fellow Dana Point residents to go to the city’s website ( ) and click on the link to the Town Center Initiative Impact Report. If you do not like the City Council and their property development decisions, change the City Council. You might get the result you want but you will also destroy the object you are trying to fix. This ballot box zoning measure is like taking a sledge hammer to a problem that needle nose pliers can fix. An obvious result would be the city not receiving back many of the millions of dollars it spent under the Lantern District Plan from development fees and increased property tax revenue. I call this the “Empty Lots Initiative,” because it would make development there so restrictive that no project could financially work, thus the empty lots would stay empty. ![]() Now, unhappy with a few development decisions by the City Council, some members of our community want to implement a ballot box zoning law called Measure H that would have the effect of halting development in the Lantern District. Part of the Lantern District plan is to recoup part of those funds via development fees and increased property taxes. The plan passed via city council votes, and the city has already spent over $18 million, plus millions of ratepayer dollars from the South Coast Water District, to implement the Lantern District improvements. Over the years, there have been several studies and many public meetings about how to create a better downtown Dana Point to attract visitors and make it a nice place for residents to enjoy a wonderful shopping and dining experience.Ī few years ago, a prior city council led by now Assemblyman Bill Brough, spearheaded the city finalizing what is now called the Lantern District plans after dozens of public hearings at which all citizens of Dana Point were allowed to participate. ![]() Another thing I noted in 1999, which continues to today, are the numerous empty lots and sometimes rundown buildings in downtown Dana Point. One of the first things I realized is property development is a hot button issue. In it I stated my opposition to Measure H which I call the Empty Lots Initiative. Recently the Dana Point Times published my Letter to the Editor. Live from OC GOP Central Committee: Endorsements for November 2022 Election Round 2.Live from OC GOP Central Committee: Endorsements for November 2022 Election Round 3.Craig Alexander’s “Craig’s PICs” Voter Recommendations for the Nov.A Word (or Two) about Judges on the Ballot.Anaheim Elementary School District Limits Participation By Minority Contractors. ![]()
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