Initiative Is Back on Track
Editorial staff

Plans are proceeding for advocates of the Mission Viejo Right To Vote Initiative to start gathering signatures on Fri., Aug. 8. Two months ago, community activist Dale Tyler brought the process to this point, but he stopped to add a new paragraph. The new text will allow for the possibility of a special election if the completion of signature-gathering doesn’t coincide with a regularly scheduled election.

A week ago, City Attorney Bill Curley reviewed the proposed initiative and gave it a title and summary. Tyler on Aug. 1 arranged for public notice to appear in the newspaper, as required by law. Signature gathering can begin as soon as the notice is published, which should occur on Aug. 8.

Some residents supporting the initiative see it as the only way to stop the council’s relentless rezoning. With the initiative in place, any major zone change would go on the ballot for a popular vote. Residents, not council members, would have the final say.

Immediately at stake is the future of the Casta del Sol Golf Course, which Sunrise Assisted Living has targeted for high-density housing. Among plans presented by Sunrise, a multistory, assisted-living facility would replace the clubhouse at the south end of the property. As an alternative plan, housing would be sited on the west side along Marguerite Parkway. Neighbors in adjacent HOAs have strongly objected to any plan for housing and/or carving up the golf course.

Numerous other properties are already targeted for rezoning. Among the worst situations is a handful of residents complaining about the retail center at La Paz and Marguerite. Several naive people remark that the center – private property – should be refaced or upgraded. The city staff began the campaign, and Councilman Frank Ury seized the opportunity to bring in the Urban Land Institute to recommend razing the center and rebuilding stores topped with affordable apartment. It’s a package deal – those who want “upgrading” don’t have the option of rejecting apartments on top of stores. With Newhart Middle School bursting at the seams and nearby homeowners dealing with traffic and parking issues, the solution is NOT to allow more housing, more students, more economically depressed families living on top of each other and stores burdened with built-in shoplifters, graffiti and other crimes.

Mission Viejo residents – the reasonable and responsible ones – have an opportunity to seize control over the council’s growing propensity to rezone and overdevelop everything in sight.

If and when anyone speaks out against a vote of the people, residents should ask why they should have no say in rezoning issues that are certain to affect their property values, quality of life and peace of mind.