Determine if the Council wishes to take an official position on the initiative and appoint two members to prepare an argument against on behalf of the Council.Tomorrow night, the Council considers forcing high-density development on a small, rural Olivenhain neighborhood in the Desert Rose case.
The two issues contain many parallels. Both pit residents against developers, and in both cases, city staff has weighed in squarely on the side of developers.
We're about to learn a lot about the character of our new City Council.
Well said WC! The whole town is watching.
ReplyDeleteWow, I keep being surprised and disappointed by our "new" Council. They voted not to adopt outright, didn't really consider Tony Kranz' suggestion, to adopt and then put the question on the ballot for the General Election to save about $350,000.
ReplyDeleteInstead, they voted, unanimously, to form a subcommittee of Teresa Barth and Kristin Gaspar to write a "nice" or "soft" opposition to the right to vote on upzoning and height limitation initiative. Apparently, they can change the title of the initiative for the ballot measure, by adding "citywide height limitation" to it. That passed 3-2, with Barth and Muir opposing. They felt the height limitation issue could be explained in the "impartial analysis" that will be written by the partial (pro-development) attorney from Rutan & Tucker, the same guy who wrote and presented the partial impact report. Calling something impartial does not make it so!
Tony Kranz also had the idea of having the subcomittee consider an alternate ballot proposition that "ironed out" some of Council's concerns after they heard and read (if they did read it) the biased (in favor of development) impact report. That suggestion went nowhere, though. Apparently, there's not enough time. Everett Delano was there, who said his lawfirm wrote the initiative. He wasn't asked questions, only the "paid henchman," from Rutan & Tucker, Joel K . . .
A lot of us can't believe how much influence special interests are having on City Council. Charles Marvin and Keith Harrison were there, coming out against the initiative, some of the same guys pushing for Leucadia 101 Streetscape. Now DEMA and the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce have changed their names to Encinitas 101 Main Street Association, Cardiff 101 Mainstreet Association, to match up with Norby's idea of a generic main street association look and feel for our entire community, starting with Leucadia 101 Main Street Association. Dody Tucker, formerly of DEMA, now of E101MA, came out against the right to vote on upzoning initiative, too.
One good thing, Jerry Harmon, from Escondido, presently on Escondido City Council, I believe, or formerly a council member, spoke of that City's similar initiative process, through which they did change the general plan and cut the cities projected build out density in half. That has not been challenged, through lawsuits, for its housing elements.
Council seems to only react in fear of possible threats of litigation when they know the monied, "insider" interests are doing the threatening. They didn't care about the Coastal Commission's recommendation against lane elimination for motorists on N101, without a Coastal Development Permit and Amendment to our LCP, or the threats of litigation over that ill-advised move. Yet the Coastal Commission's need to certify the LCP with regard to the Right to Vote on Upzoning Initiative was brought up again and again as a reason for Council not to adopt the ordinance.
I hope the public is smart enough to vote yes, when it goes to a special election on June 18, and not listen to the bogus, hypocritical arguments promoted by the building industry and development interests whose real concern is short term profit and being able to achieve the greatest density possible at the expense of our community character and quality of life.
Tony Kranz actually said his idea was not thought out and was ill conceived. This is a different Tony then during the campaign. Did he just tell us what we wanted to hear???
DeleteThe KLCC should change it's name to Keep Encinitas Crappy Club, the KECC.
DeleteThe "ill" idea was "conceived" in Tony's living room....
DeleteIt was unbelievable! The two candidates (Shaffer and Kranz) who signed and supported the ballot initiative while running for office, NOW as elected council members, oppose it!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned; their worst than Stocks. As least he told us up front that he was going to screw us.
I regret my votes for Shaffer and Kranz - sold a bad bill of goods. Live and learn!
The council made a decision to oppose the residents right to vote. There is no blame. If the council can get the initiative defeated, they will have their super majority vote to litter Encinitas with taller buildings and increased density under the excuse of the state made us do it. Those are the facts, plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteThe council failed both tests. Council grade - F-.
ReplyDeleteCouncil grade in duplicity - A+
The council changed the city's laws when they approved the Desert Rose project. The issues involved were city wide and will affect everyone city wide. This wasn't just a density bonus issue. Not one of the council members advocated for the environment or public safety during that hearing. Not one advocated for an EIR.
ReplyDeleteKranz isn't the brightest bulb in the pack.
ReplyDeleteHe now becomes an unknown element, having capitalized on the extreme dislike of Jerome Stocks to get elected. Looks like the City Attorney Sabine will be pulling his strings. Shaffer isn't off to a great start either - the euphoria is fading fast!