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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-07-19; City Council; 9544; Citizen Request Growth Initiative November Ballot$ c 3 4B# q5#4 ~TG. 7-19-88 IEPT. R/AG 0 u DEPT. Hal,& CITY AlldB CITIZEN REQUEST REGARDING GROWTH INITIATIVE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT TITLE: \ CITY MGR& G 0 w w (d u Cn co co I m rl I b RECOMMENDED ACTION: Hear presentation and take appropriate action. ITEM EXPLANATION: Mr. Peter Navarro, a member of Citizens for Limited Growth, is requesting ten minutes to address the City Council on two growth management initiatives. One initiative is on the City of San Diego ballot (Quality of Life Initiative), and the other is on the County of San Diego ballot (Rural Preservation and Traffic Control). The letter requesting this presentation opportunity indicates that both initiatives are tied to the availability of public facilities at the time of need. FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time. EXHIBITS : 1. Letter from Peter Navarro to Mayor Lewis, dated July 5, 1988. c h EXHIBIT 1 July 5, 1988 Mayor Bud Lewis 1200 Elm Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 and City Council Members Honorable Mayor and Council Members: As an economic advisor to Citizens for Limited Growth, I would like to request the opportunity to address the City Council on the subject of growth management initiatives on the November ballot and their impact on your City. Specifically, I would, at your earliest convenience, like to brief the Council on the Quality of Life Initiative which is on the ballot in the City of San Diego and the Rural Preservation and Traffic Control Initiative which will be on the County ballot. Both initiatives require that the rate of growth in San Diego be tightly tied to the availability of five key factors in regional infrastructure: traffic congestion, air pollution, water availability, sewage capacity, and solid waste disposal. These initiatives also help to protect open space areas in the region and seek to insure that public facilities are available to communities at the time of need. If passed, these initiatives would be of great benefit to your city in slowing down the onslaught of unplanned growth on its borders and its negative by-products. I propose a brief 10 minute presentation followed by the opportunity for the Council to ask questions about the initiatives. I plan to make the presentation and will have the sponsors of the City and County initiatives--Tom Mullaney and Bill McNeely--available for questioning as well. Ultimately, we hope to receive your formal endorsement for these important initiatives. Therefore, I request that the matter be put on the docket in such a way as to make a formal vote and action of the Cauncil possible. 73- Peter Navarro 2236 Place St. Tropez Del Mar, CA 92014 259-6866 cc. Tom Mullaney Bill McNeely 5/24/88 CITIZENS FOR LIMITED GROWTH QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE City of San Diego SUMMARY The Quality of Life Initiative is a comprehensive measure that addresses the deteriorating conditions caused by rapid growth. - The Initiative is based on the fundamental riqht of all residents to live in safe and healthful surroundings. Quality of Life issues are addressed at three levels: 0 Citywide factors 0 Community factors 0 Environmental factors Standards of performance are set at all three and rate of development tied to these standards. CITYWIDE QUALITY OF LIFE STANDARDS When new development is authorized by the City evels, with the type little attention is es. The Initiative paid to the carrying capacity of regional facilit sets five Citywide standards, based on federal and state regulations, and directs the City to do everything it can to meet these standards: 0 Air Quality 0 Sewer System 0 Water System 0 Solid Waste Disposal 0 Traffic LIMITATIONS ON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT While the City is working to meet the Citywide standards, a slower rate of growth will be necessary. There is no hope of reversing the harmful trends if we continue to compound our problems with continued rapid growth. The Initiative provides for a gradual transition to a slower rate of growth by setting the following limits: 1st year: 7,000 to 9,000 dwelling units 2nd year: 6,000 to 8,000 dwelling units 3rd year: 5,000 to 7,000 dwelling units 4th year: 4,000 to 6,000 dwelling units The actual number of units authorized each year depends on how many of the five standards are being met. For each standard met, 400 bonus units are added to the lower figure. The limits are based on a growth rate between the national and California rates, which will result in a moderate amount of new development . Two additional provisions allow the City to replace the above limits: 3333 Midway Drive, #206 San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 222-8887 0 When all five standards are met for a two year period, the City can authorize development at a rate equal to the California growth rate. 0 When all five standards are met for a five year period, the numerical limits do not apply, and the City can authorize whatever development is appropriate to maintain the Quality of Life Standards. COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PLAN The City is directed to develop a plan for commercial and industrial development which results in a balance with housing units, and helps to meet the Quality of Life Standards. This provision gives the City complete latitude in choosing how to attain these goals. challenge for the City is to move out of the "bigger is better" era a new era based on benefits to San Diegans. COMMUNITY QUALITY LIFE STANDARDS The Initiative specifies three types of criteria which important at the community level. 0 Affordable housing. The into are 0 Adequate public facilities and services, including streets, 0 Favorable impact on the natural environment and community schools, parks, libraries, police and fire service. character. The City is free to develop any kind of allocation system which meets these guidelines. The objective is to allocate permits to those projects which meet the community criteria. ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS In order to preserve the City's natural landforms, regulations are adopted which limit the density and type of development on sensitive 1 ands : Wetland, Canyons, Steep Slopes, Floodplains, Watercourses and Environmentally Sensitive Habitats Within certain limitations, public works are allowed, and reasonable use of private property is assured. COUNTY-WIDE INITIATIVE A similiar measure is being sponsored for the County -- the Rural Preservation and Traffic Control Initiative. It will follow the same approach as the City version, with additional provisions to protect agricultural and rural land. The County Initiative will address mainly the unincorporated areas, but provide benefits to all County residents. The two measures together will cover 65% of the region's population and 85% of the land, providing a big step forward in tackling the region's deteriorating quality of life. SUMMARY The Initiative gives direction to the City for meeting essential goals at three levels: City, community, and environment. The goals are definite and clear: Residents' welfare must be the first priority. Ample flexibility is reserved for the City government to choose how to meet these goals. The Quality of Life Initiative will give San Diegans the opportunity to take charge of their destiny, and to reverse the harmful trends that threaten their quality of life. RURi DIVISION, CITIZENS FOR LI, .*TED GROWTH 808 Gable Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 Phone (619) 286-4149 ClTIZENS 2/20/88 RURAL PRESERVATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL INITIATIa COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO--SUMMARY FOR LIMITED GROWTH This initiative will require the County to limit growth and development which is harmful to residents. It will benefit all County residents, in both urban and rural areas, by preventing traffic, smog, and other growth problems from getting further out of control. Rural residents will regain control of their communities through a provision requiring an affirmative local vote before urban-scale development can occur. puRposE "The purpose of this initiative is to protect the citizens' quality of life and to affirm their right to live in safe and healthful surroundings. This initiative will preserve rural lands and the rural lifestyle, and control traffic congestion and other harmful effects of rapid growth by tying new development to quality of life standards for the County and for communities." REASOMS "Rapid growth in the County of San Diego has caused or contributed to serious deterioration in residents' quality of life in the form of increased traffic congestion, air pollution, sewage spills, and the loss of rural and agricultural lands. Rapid growth has contributed to higher taxes, fees and utility rates, and has overburdened public services, facilities, and infrastructure. Canyons, wildlife habitats, and other sensitive environmental lands have been degraded, resulting in a diminished quality of life for present and future generations." OvERALLpoLIcl The initiative directs the County to keep growth within the carrying capacity of the region, and signals an end to the policy of growth accommodation at any cost. The County is directed to limit growth which degrades the environment, threatens the lifestyle of rural residents, or adds to traffic, air pollution, or facilities problems. COUNTY WIPE gUALITY PE LIFE STANDARDS When new development is authorized, little attention is paid to the carrying capacity of the region. The initiative sets three County-wide standards based on federal and state regulations, and directs the County to do everything it can to meet these standards: - Traffic e Air Quality 0 Solid Waste Disposal RESfDENTIALLIMITATIONS While the County is working to meet the County-wide standards, a slower rate of growth is required. A gradual transition to slower growth is specified, with limits set as a percentage of the previous year's housing. The limits from the 4th year onward represent approximately 1 to 1 1/2 times the current national growth rate.. 1st year: 2.0 - 2.6% 3rd year: 1.4 - 2.0% 2nd year: 1.7 - 2.3% 4th year & on: 1.0 - 1.6% 3333 Midway Drive, #206 San Diego. CA 92110 (619) 222-8887 The lower percentage limit is increased by 0.2% for each standard that is met during the previous year. COMMERCIALmINDUSTRIALPLAN The County is directed to adopt a plan for commericial and industrial growth which meets the following criteria: 0 Furthers the attainment of standards for traffic, air quality, and waste disposal. 0 Creates a balance between commercial, industrial, and residential development by limiting new development which would induce excessive in-migration to the County. a Establishes fees to ensure that new commercial and industrial development pays for itself. Requires that adequate facilites are available before new development is authorized. ALLOCATIONSYSTEMmRESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT The County is directed to develop an allocation system which preserves community character and favors projects with adequate facilities. The Board of Supervisors retains the responsibility for deciding where growth should occur. Outside the urban limit line the emphasis is placed on preserving the rural character by favoring large-lot single family dwellings. Inside the urban limit line the emphasis is on requiring adequate public services and facilities. These include: a Nearby streets, freeways, and transit systems. School and library facilities Water, sewer, and solid waste capacity 0 Park and recreational facilities 0 Police, fire, and other emergency services ENVIRONMENTALLYSENSITIVELAND In order to preserve the County’s natural landforms, regulations are adopted which limit the density and type of development on sensitve lands, including wetlands, canyons, steep slopes, and floodplains. RURALPRESERYATIONmLOCALCONTROL The County is required to preserve rural areas by preventing urban-type development in unincorporated areas that are not presently urbanized. Development which could impact rural preservation must be approved by a vote of the local residents. This includes sewer extensions, changes in land use designation, and increases in density. SUMMARY The initiative provides a new policy for the County: To live within its means by recognizing the physical and financial constraints to growth. New development is limited until minimum standards are met for traffic and air quality. Preference is given to projects with adequate faciiities and to projects which preserve the rural lifestyle. e July 20, 1988 Mayor Bud Lewis 1200 Elm Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 and City Council Members Honorable Mayor and Council Members: Thank you very much for the opportunity to address you last night on the issue of growth management in San Diego. I hope that after reviewing the material I left with you and after you have had time to study the City and County measures that you will consider endorsing the Citizen’s Initiatives, which are similiar in philosophy to the facilities-driven plan of your City. If passed, these Initiatives would be of great benefit to Carlsbad’s admirable efforts to manage growth within its borders. As I said last night, Carlsbad is not an island and what the County and the City do about managing growth will have a great impact on your constituents. Should the matter be put on a future docket, I request that I be notified. Sincerely, ~ Peter Navarro 2236 Place St. Tropez Del Mar, CA 92014 259-6866 cc. Tom Mullaney Bill McNeelg i