Initiatives and referendums

 

Tax, Budgeting, CEQA Initiatives Proposed

California voters could overhaul the state and local tax system, as well as the state budgeting process, in November. Ballot initiatives that would constrict state and local government funding, and, conversely, dramatically increase state and local government revenues are in circulation for signatures.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

Alameda Voters Reject Navy Base Reuse Plan

City of Alameda voters have overwhelmingly rejected a plan to redevelop Alameda Naval Air Station. In a February 2 special election, 85.4% of voters said “no” to Measure B, which would have permitted developer SunCal Companies to move forward with a housing and industrial project on about 1,000 acres of Navy real estate.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

Election Update: Slow Growthers Win In Davis, Mendocino County

Slow-growth advocates won major victories in November 3 local elections when voters rejected a housing project in Davis and a shopping center in Mendocino County, as well as sewer extensions in Modesto.
 
But slow-growth forces suffered some unexpected losses. In Santa Barbara and Ventura, two cities with a history of voter-controlled development, initiatives that would have imposed strict height limits on new buildings were rejected. In the Bay Area, Walnut Creek voters approved amended parking standards necessary for the construction of a Neiman Marcus store downtown.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

Decision Time Nears For Local Initiatives

Formation of new cities, building-height limits in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and a developer-written specific plan for a vacant industrial site near Ukiah are among the land use proposals up for a vote in the November 3 municipal elections. At least 21 measures with land use implications are on the ballot in 12 different California jurisdictions.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

9th Circuit Reinstates Kern County Sludge Ban

A Kern County voter initiative prohibiting the disposal of sewage sludge on fields in the county has new life. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal District Court judge’s ruling that the initiative violated the United States constitution’s commerce clause.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

Court Reinstates SLO Developer's Ballot Initiative

A state appellate court has reinstated the results of a local ballot initiative that authorize a large development near the San Luis Obispo County airport. A trial court judge had thrown out the initiative on the grounds that it was superceded by the State Aeronautics Act and that the ballot measure amounted to an “adjudicative” rather than a legislative act. The Second District Court of Appeal disagreed, ruling that the aeronautics law did not preclude the initiative and that it was appropriately legislative in nature.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

Lodi Voters Kill Redevelopment Plan

Voters in Lodi rejected redevelopment, while those in Alamo said no to incorporation of a new city during municipal balloting on March 3. In Los Angeles, voters narrowly rejected two charter amendments, one for a solar energy program, the other for fiscal incentives for business development. Only in Glendora did the electorate provide a positive response to proposed change. A measure rezoning the site of a former automobile dealership for other retail uses passed easily.

»   Please Login or Subscribe to view this article.

SF Redevelopment Plan Prevented From Reaching Ballot

A referendum on a redevelopment plan for San Francisco’s Bayview and Hunters Point districts will not appear on the ballot. The First District Court of Appeal upheld a Superior Court judge’s ruling that referendum proponents violated elections law by not including a copy of the redevelopment plan in referendum petitions.

Voters Demonstrate Slow-Growth Tendency

Balloting on local land use measures during the general election provided the usual mixed-bag of results, but also a number of surprises. Overall, slow-growth forces won 22 of 39 classifiable elections.

Despite the poor economy, the electorate demonstrated a willingness to spend money and even raise taxes for transit, roads and schools.

Complete Local Election Results, November 2008

Complete results of 67 ballot measures in 23 counties.

Syndicate content