Commentary: Two opposing views on Costa Mesa’s Measure Y
Controlled growth initiative raises concerns
By Diane Pritchett
Measure Y, known as “An Initiative to Require Voter Approval on Certain Development Projects,” would establish a menu of overlapping criteria and practices for evaluating land use projects in Costa Mesa.
The measure would require voter approval of certain changes in land use at either a general or special election. This vote would occur after both the city’s Planning Commission and City Council have studied the proposal, listened to the public, understood its environmental impacts, imposed conditions of approval and approved the requested changes in a public hearing.
It all sounds like a reasonable idea, but the South Coast Metro Alliance recommends voters study the full text before deciding how to cast their ballot. SCMA member organizations have contributed significantly to funding for public safety and enhancing our roads, as well as supporting education, the arts, public open space, and parks, among other things.
Our concerns boil down to these: Impacts to the city’s longterm vitality; complex and far-reaching requirements; small projects could still require a vote; the traffic and land-use criteria are out of balance; the daily trip criteria is unreasonably limiting; the requirements could be applied in perpetuity.
We understand the intricacies of planning and implementing worthwhile land-use projects. We are very much concerned that Measure Y will negatively impact business development and vitality throughout Costa Mesa by increasing the uncertainly, difficulty, risks, and the costs of doing business in the city.
We worry that historic revenue streams to the city that are very much needed to maintain and improve our streets and parks, as well as assure public safety, will be jeopardized. For those businesses not already here, or having opportunities outside Costa Mesa, the aftermath of Measure Y may cause them to go elsewhere.
Out-of-town money is pouring into the No on Y campaign
By Cynthia McDonald
Who is this group opposing Measure Y, which calls itself “Costa Mesa Residents Against the Power Grab, No on Measure Y”?
Despite having such a long name, this political action committee doesn’t have a very long history in Costa Mesa. To make things a little easier and clearer, I’ll just call it “Big Money PAC.”
Looking at the documents that were filed with the city clerk, we find that the address for Big Money PAC is actually a law firm in Los Angeles. On the law firm’s website we see the Building Industry Assn. of Southern California, the California Assn. of Realtors, California Nations Indian Gaming Assn. and The Lincoln Club of Orange County listed as clients.
Reviewing documents filed with the secretary of state, one sees that the funds for Big Money PAC come from the Orange County Jobs Coalition (“OC Jobs”), which, despite its name, is also located at the same address as the Wilshire Boulevard law firm.
Contributors include names that have built or had projects approved to be built in Costa Mesa in recent years. So, if we follow the money, what do we learn? First, that Big Money PAC isn’t a group of Costa Mesa residents who oppose Measure Y, but a well-funded group of out-of-town builders and developers. This group has raised much more money than Costa Mesa First, the group of residents who gathered the signatures to put Measure Y on the ballot.
When you get a slick mailer from Big Money PAC, just remember this group is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and not the hard-working group of residents who walked door-to-door with fliers. Please vote Yes on Measure Y to preserve the quality of life of Costa Mesa residents.
DIANE PRITCHETT is executive director of the South Coast Metro Alliance. CYNTHIA MCDONALD is treasurer of Costa Mesa First.