In this off-year election, there are few land use measures on Nov. 8 ballots statewide. The City of Vernon's measures regarding term limits and other reforms represents a resurrection of sorts in the wake of the highly publicized efforts to disincorporate it.
Updated Weds., November 10.
San Mateo Measure G: Affordable Housing: Rejected, 52% opposed
Measure G would amend the City of San Mateo's general plan to allow the city to impose housing impact fees and a fee refund incentive program to compel developers to provide below-market-rate units in rental properties. The measure is in response to Palmer v. City of Los Angeles, which invalidated certain approaches to inclusionary zoning.
Vernon Measure A: Term Limits: Approved, 43-9
In response to the firestorm of criticism--and an attempted forced disincorporation--the industrial City of Vernon in Los Angeles County is pursuing reform measures now that it has a new lease on life. This measure would limit council members to two-five year terms, with a lifetime ban thereafter. Critics contend that city council members have ruled over the city for decades and treated it like their own fiefdom in the absence of term limits or a functioning municipal democracy. Vernon has fewer than 200 residents. The Vernon city ballot also includes measure regarding city administration, at-will employment, and prevailing wages.
Pittsburgh Measure I: Urban Limit Line: Approved, 79% in favor
Sponsored by developer West Coast Homebuilders, Measure I would amend Pittburgh's general plan and expand its urban limit line to accommodate a 193-acre development averaging three dwelling units per acre. The measure would pre-zone the land for a combination of single-family residential, high-density residential, and light industrial uses.
