MV Dispatch Supports Initiative

On Mar. 2, Brad Morton’s Mission Viejo Dispatch published an analysis in support of the Mission Viejo Right-To-Vote Initiative http://missionviejodispatch.com/?paged=2 . Mission Viejo residents will be able to vote the measure into law in the June 8 Primary Election. Following is the analysis from the Dispatch.

SAVE MISSION VIEJO FROM HIGH-DENSITY BLIGHT. High-density growth can mean adverse impacts to traffic, noise, schools, recreation, aesthetics, environment, utilities, infrastructure, public facilities and city services.

The Right-To-Vote Amendment provides Mission Viejo the opportunity to join affluent towns like Newport Beach and Yorba Linda that adopted initiatives to save their communities from the blight of unwanted high-density growth – by requiring voter ratification of major zoning changes.

PRESERVE OUR FAMOUS MASTER PLAN. The Right-To-Vote Initiative allows residents to protect our nationally famous Master Plan. This is necessary because major zoning changes are susceptible to the lobbying wealth and influence of outside corporations and developers, as witnessed in other once-promising OC cities.

PREVENT ELECTION COSTS. Our City Council will still exclusively approve or reject regular land use changes or affordable housing actions pre-empted by state law. Major changes need voter ratification, but the cost of such regular or special elections WILL NOT BE PAID BY TAXPAYERS. It will be paid by the companies or entities proposing zoning changes.

PROTECT HOMEOWNERS RIGHTS. The initiative maintains the current standards for single family home permits, renovations, additions and other changes not involving major changes to zoning or to existing building standards.

PROTECT BUSINESS RIGHTS. The initiative maintains the current standards for renovations, additions and other changes to businesses not involving major changes to zoning or to existing building standards.

KEEP OUR RECREATION & OPEN SPACE. Voters would need to approve conversion or development of open spaces, or the rezoning of recreation land unless being changed to open space.

PERMIT RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS. Only City Council approval is required to develop recreational land with recreational facilities, such as sports parks or dog parks.

PROTECT FAMILY INVESTMENTS. The Right-To-Vote Amendment may be the BEST way for residents to protect their home investments in Mission Viejo.d)