Public Land, Public Vote: Time to Respect The Will of San Diego Voters

SAN DIEGO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- It was smooth sailing last November for two election reform ballot measures in San Diego. Voters easily passed Measures K and L, designed to ensure that the most critical civic decisions are made at the ballot box when the most voters participate, which is clearly in regular November general elections.

The number of supporters was impressive, particularly for Measure L, which was approved at 66 percent. Measure L specifically prohibits votes on initiatives and referendums during special elections or June primaries unless the City Council approves.

Several City Councilmembers supported Measure L last year. Chris Ward, Myrtle Cole, Barbara Bry, David Alvarez and Georgette Gomez all agreed that Measure L is the best path forward for the city. Even Secretary of State Alex Padilla said of Measure L, "I think it's a very good thing, and consistent with other reforms I've seen across the state of California."

And now, less than a year from that vote, City Hall and a well-heeled hedge fund from La Jolla, are spearheading a direct challenge to the will of the people.

FS Investors and City Hall have asked the City Council that "Soccer City" be placed on a special election this November, not the general election in 2018. Putting the initiative on a special election could cost voters close to $10 million, and violates the very spirit and intent of Measure L.

The community is responding.

Joe LaCava is the past chair of the influential Community Planners Committee, an organization that represents the interests of 42 planning groups across the City of San Diego. The committee voted 18-0 this week to recommend the City Council put the measure before voters on the November 2018 general election ballot. LaCava noted, "This vote clearly demonstrates the value of land-use planning that doesn't go through the ballot box. In particular, the committee expressed concerns that this project bypassed the local planning group entirely."

San Diego State University is also on record as not supporting the project and would like time to craft a plan of their own.

Former SDSU President Dr. Stephen Weber said about the FS Investors' plan, "The potential availability of 166 acres in urban San Diego is a tremendous opportunity; it ought to be about more than some well-connected, tax-advantaged developer turning an obscene profit."

FS Investors has stated that the reason for this ballot box rush job is the self-imposed timetable "emergency" they're under from MLS. Despite the fact the league has stated they won't guarantee San Diego a team after the vote and despite the fact the initiative doesn't guarantee a stadium or much desired park land, it's an "emergency" to get this before voters.

Thorough and meaningful civic discourse is critically important when making generational land-use decisions. Rushing to the altar and marrying the first idea that comes along after a 56-year marriage with the local NFL team has ended is unwise. It's of utmost importance the City Council push this vote to November 2018 and avoid San Diego's Shotgun Wedding.

SOURCE Public Land, Public Vote