Few land use measures appeared on ballots during the spring municipal elections conducted in some California cities and counties on March 6, although development was an issue in several city races. One of the more interesting City Council elections was in Calabasas, in western Los Angeles County. The 3,000-home Ahmanson Ranch development, which is not in Calabasas but is proposed for nearby unincorporated Ventura County, was a lightening rod issue. Voters reelected incumbents James Bozajian and Lesley Devine, both of who strongly oppose the project, and voters elected real estate attorney Michael Harrison, another outspoken foe of the development. The subdivision and commercial development, which would contribute traffic to Calabasas streets, has been mired in lawsuits and environmental reviews since Ventura County approved it eight years ago (see CP&DR January 1993, CP&DR Legal Digest December 1995, March 1994). In the City of Glendora, in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, two challengers who vowed to block development of the area's foothills ousted two incumbents. Mike Conway and Paul Marshall defeated Mayor Larry Glenn, who had been on the council for 13 years, and one-term incumbent Al Fishman. The March 6 election also saw the first school bond measures that could pass with only 55% of the vote, as allowed under Proposition 39. Both Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified school districts used the 55% provision. Fresno's received 67.2% of the vote, while Clovis' got 64.4% approval. Five other school bonds appeared on the March ballot under the two-thirds requirement, according to School Services of California. Bonds in Exeter (Tulare County), Liberty Union High (Contra Costa County) and Tamalpais Union High (Marin County) school districts were approved. Those in Banta Elementary (San Joaquin County) and Mojave Unified (Kern County) failed. Individual school districts can choose whether to seek approval for bonds based on 55% approval or two-thirds approval, explained Paul Holmes, a lobbyist for Coalition for Adequate School Housing. The constitutional amendment allowing 55% approval adds a number of conditions, such as a citizens' oversight committee, regular audits, a list of specific projects and limits on the level of taxes, he said. Kings County A half-cent sales tax increase for eight years to fund a new jail failed. Measure B: No: 51.9%. Los Angeles County City of Pasadena An advisory measure calling for a 6.2-mile extension of the 710 Freeway won the support of voters, while a competing measure calling for preparation of a citywide traffic management plan failed. The pro-freeway initiative came about last year, after the Pasadena City Council voted 5-3 to reverse the city's longstanding position of support for the freeway. The City Council backed the opposing measure that would have prevented the city from taking a position until it completed a transportation plan. The freeway extension, which would connect the 710 and 210 freeways, is vehemently opposed by the City of South Pasadena and historic preservationists because it would wipe out hundreds of old homes. Measure A (pro-freeway): Yes: 58.2%. Measure C (traffic management plan): No: 55.2%. City of South Gate Environmental justice advocates won a major victory when voters rejected an advisory measure for a proposed 500-megawatt power plant. Sunlaw Energy Co. proposed building the plant on the site of a truck stop. But opponents complained that South Gate, a mostly Latino suburb southeast of Los Angeles, would endanger residents' health. Mayor Raul Moriel and Vice Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba even went on a six-day hunger strike prior to the election to bring attention to the project's expected impacts. After the vote, Sunlaw asked the California Energy Commission to suspend its processing of the project application. Measure A: No: 66.5%. Orange County Aliso Viejo Residents of this south Orange County community of 45,000 people voted overwhelmingly to incorporate effective July 1. Development of an airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps base was the key issue, and voters elected a slate of councilmembers strongly opposed to the project. Aliso Viejo is directly under the El Toro flight path. Aliso Viejo incorporation: Yes: 93%. City of Buena Park A special tax to fund a new police station and jail received the support of the majority of voters, but the assessment required two-thirds approval. The special tax would have cost homeowners about $30 a year and small businesses about $120 annually. Measure P: No: 44%. (2/3 required) San Bernardino County City of Chino Voters approved the rezoning of land from commercial to residential to permit development of 60 apartments for seniors. A 1988 initiative requires voter approval for such zone changes. Measure U: Yes: 85.3%. San Mateo County City of Belmont Voters approved an $8.65 million bond to replace the city's cramped 6,000-square-foot library. The new facility, to be built on the same site, will be four times as large. The bond provides matching funds for a state grant. The bond will cost homeowners about $70 annually for 30 years, and commercial property owners about 8 cents per square foot annually. Measure C: Yes 78.1%. (2/3 required)