Council Halts Nothing
Staff editorial

Two articles appeared in the Feb. 22 Saddleback Valley News regarding the Feb. 18 council meeting, and neither accurately reflected what happened. The headline on page 4, “Council halts zoning changes,” is particularly misleading. No developer proposal has been presented to the city.

Mission Viejo residents continue to worry that the Casta del Sol golf course will be rezoned for housing. The council’s 5-0 approval on Feb. 18 of a 45-day moratorium on land-use changes has no impact. Given this council’s consistent record on rezoning, housing will likely be built on the golf course unless residents prevent it by passing a voter initiative.

Approximately 45 residents waited three hours at the Feb. 18 council meeting to hear Item 20, a proposed moratorium regarding land-use changes. The ordinance allegedly would delay any change of use regarding recreational and open space land pending further study.

The moratorium is in specific response to residents’ concern over a developer, Sunrise, wanting to build a high-density assisted-living project on the golf course. Approval of the project would require a zone change and General Plan Amendment. Casta homeowners should note the false claim that the council is “protecting” the residents. One resident speaking at the public microphone called the moratorium a fraud.

The first public speaker asked everyone in the audience to stand if they came for Item 20. The entire audience stood up. The speaker said quite a few Casta del Sol residents went home before the item was called at approximately 9 p.m. A marathon discussion about the power lines over north Mission Viejo drug on for three hours despite the large majority of the audience waiting for Item 20.

Community activist Dale Tyler made public comments about the moratorium and explained it would have no effect in stopping a developer’s proposal to rezone the golf course. Another resident identifying himself as a developer indicated in his public comments that the moratorium includes a loophole for developers because it contains a variance provision, as required by law.

Councilman John Paul Ledesma was the only one on the dais who acknowledged the city’s maneuvering wouldn’t slow down a developer.

A larger issue with regard to timing is the November election. Even if the developer had no prior experience in promoting unpopular ideas, its public relations agent, Roger Faubel, knows how to work the system. The developer is unlikely to present a controversial proposal with a city election on the horizon. Council Members Frank Ury and Gail Reavis are up for reelection this fall. While these two have supported developers at every turn, both are suddenly making overtures about being responsive to residents. Reavis even said on Feb. 18 that she’d like to put a voter initiative on the November ballot. She mentioned an initiative that would affect only rezoning of open space, whereas residents need to strip the council of all rezoning decisions.

Councilman Lance MacLean’s comments during the moratorium discussion were revealing. At one point, he said the council had directed the developer, Sunrise, to conduct a public outreach effort for its housing project, referring to it as an “investigatory hearing.” Kelley reacted to his statement by saying the council didn’t do it. However, council members have said they individually talked with the developer. MacLean should have said “council members” instead of “the council” because they acted individually.

MacLean’s zeal to put housing on the golf course is clear. Knowing his highest priority is the MacLean City Basketball Gymnasium, residents are asking if he’s made a deal with Sunrise to place it next door to the Casta community. MacLean made several pro-developer comments, including one about Casta residents’ declining home values because the golf course isn’t in pristine condition.

After the 5-0 vote, Kelley urged the city staff to expedite the study of the golf course. Given the showboating over a phony delay followed by the comment about rushing forward, residents should remain on high alert.