There are two competing initiatives on the ballot. One is by the CITIZENS of Dana Point (Measure H), and the other is by 3 members of the current city council (Measure I) who want to defeat the CITIZENS’ measure on behalf of their large political donors, the commercial developers.
Here is a side-by-side overview of the distinctions between the two measures:
CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE MEASURE H |
CITY COUNCIL & DEVELOPERS’ INITIATIVE MEASURE I |
|
---|---|---|
Who’s in Charge | Voters approve major changes | 3 Councilmen can change the rules |
Town Center Plan | Provides consistent rules | Developers can “negotiate” the rules |
Building heights | 3 stories, 40-foot height limits | 4 stories, 56 to 59 foot towers approved |
Parking | Applies city codes without loopholes | Amendments to TC Plan reduce parking |
Commercial Parking | 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet |
Restaurant Parking | 10 spaces per 1,000 square feet | 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet |
Condos/Apts. Parking | 1 bedroom — 1.7 spaces | 1 space |
2 bedrooms — 2.2 spaces | 2 spaces | |
3 bedrooms+ — 2.7 spaces | 2 spaces | |
No loopholes for bicycle spaces | Credit bicycle spaces for 8% of parking | |
No credit for stacked or tandem | Count stacked, tandem, and valet parking | |
In Lieu Parking | Developers pay $40,000/space | City staff can determine fees. Current set at $15,000/space |
Parking Responsibility | Developers pay their fair share | Taxpayers left to fund parking lots or structure |
Variances | Approved per code legally | Variances granted by vote of 3 Council Members |
On-Site height markers | On-site for 20 days prior to approval | 24 hours on site was allowed |
Major Project Plans | Available to the public online for 2 weeks prior to approval | Partial data published Saturday for Tuesday decision |
Effect of Vote | Residents/taxpayers set rules | City council caters to developers |
Assures parking for business success | City’s parking amendment stands (-50%) | |
Developers pay for parking needs | Taxpayers expected to pay for parking needs | |
Your vote passes the Initiative | City Measure could cancel the Initiative | |
Restaurants and Retail District | Residential dominates Town Center |
Effect of Vote |
||
---|---|---|
Residents/taxpayers set rules | City council caters to developers | |
Assures parking for business success | City’s parking amendment stands (-50%) | |
Developers pay for parking needs | Taxpayers expected to pay for parking needs | |
Your vote passes the Initiative | City Measure could cancel the Initiative | |
Restaurants and Retail District | Residential dominates Town Center |