Voters Reject Rezoning
by Larry Gilbert

The flip side to property ownership/development is zoning. The June 27 OC Register points out that Christo Bardis, a landowner in the City of Cypress, wanted to have the city rezone "part of the former (30 acre) Cypress Golf Club" for single-family homes and commercial use. Without researching the history of Measure A, a Ballot Measure which Mr. Bardis sponsored, it was soundly rejected by the voters. Apparently, there is a 1987 law mandating voter approval before any rezoning is authorized. In a sense that is the same issue we had in Mission Viejo a few years ago. Senior citizens living in gated communities surrounding the Casta Golf Course wanted similar protection should part of that golf course be sold. However, our Measure D, with a broader scope, was defeated. As of today there is no activity by the Casta golf course owners relating to its future reuse.

Although I recently discarded specific examples of property owners whose hands were tied relating to development, I recall two examples in northern CA. One related to property owners along Lake Tahoe who for years could not get approval to build on their land. The second involved development in Sausalito above the Golden Gate Bridge where the local officials were mandating larger lot sizes than submitted by the owner to limit the number of units that could be built.

Bottom line. Buyer beware. Whenever you are considering procurement of land that would require a rezone change, do not assume anything. You might have acquired a great piece of property that ends up sitting vacant simply because you may not get the necessary approvals to move forward.