Petitioners File Names in Bid to Halt Home Ranch

Slow-growth advocates in Costa Mesa filed petitions Monday to force a citywide election on a city plan that could allow the Home Ranch project to proceed.

Citizens for Responsible Growth submitted 5,665 signatures to the city clerk’s office about 90 minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline. The group said it needed 4,170 signatures to force a referendum. The clerk has 30 days in which to determine whether enough signatures are those of registered voters in Costa Mesa.

The same group filed a lawsuit last fall to block C. J. Segerstrom & Sons’ 94-acre, $400-million Home Ranch project.

The project, to be built in phases over the next 20 years, involves a proposed 3.1 million square feet of office space for 11,000 workers. The site is bounded by Fairview Road, the San Diego Freeway, Harbor Boulevard and Sunflower Avenue.

The first phase includes the controversial One South Coast Place office complex that will be anchored by two towers, one 20 stories high and another 12 stories. The complex is expected to generate an additional 47,000 cars a day to the area.

Amended General Plan

Seeking to comply with a court order resulting from the citizens’ lawsuit, the City Council voted Feb. 12 to amend the city’s general plan to include restrictions on density of development. The Segerstrom project meets the new amendment’s requirements.

Segerstrom officials said they were disappointed by the filing of petitions but optimistic about the outcome of a citywide vote.

“We are confident that a majority of voters support our project,” said company spokesman Tom Santley. “If a sufficient number of signatures are valid and this matter is put before the voters, we are equally confident that the general plan amendment, already approved by the Planning Commission, 5 to 0, and by the City Council, 4 to 1, will be supported as well by Costa Mesa voters.

“In the weeks ahead, we will demonstrate that our project is in our city’s best interest and that there is nothing in it that any resident should fear.”

City officials said they would withhold comment until they have an opportunity to read the petition today.

Verification Process

“We anticipate starting review of the petition (Tuesday), and it will be reviewed by our city attorney as well,” said Rick Pickering, assistant to the city manager. “Any petition will have to go through the verification process to make sure there are enough signatures and that they are valid.”

Citizens for Responsible Growth is hoping that voters will block construction of the project by overturning the city’s decision to amend the general plan. The group has argued that the project will create traffic congestion, increase air pollute and change the residential character of Costa Mesa.

“We are very pleased with this (the petition drive),” said Jay Humphrey, a spokesman for the group. “The citizens of Costa Mesa have made it very clear what they want. We gathered 5,665 signatures in 23 days. . . . We’re trying to control growth around here. When you keep adding units like this, you won’t be able to drive on Harbor (Boulevard), period.”

If the signatures are determined to be valid, the City Council can either withdraw the general plan amendment, hold a special election or wait until the November general election to place the issue on the ballot.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Tully H. Seymour blocked construction of One South Coast Place last October, ruling that the city’s environmental impact report for the project was inadequate.

Seymour ordered the city to specify not only how many square feet of commercial buildings can go up on the 16-acre One South Coast Place site, but on the entire 94-acre Home Ranch as well. In order to comply with that order, the city amended the general plan and resubmitted it to the judge. Seymour has not ruled on whether the amendment is adequate.

Meanwhile, Citizens for Responsible Growth said it would file more court briefs Thursday, pointing out flaws in the general plan amendment. The court action is another safeguard to ensure that the project does not go forward, according to Diane Goldberger, a member of the group.

“We’re doing it doubly--in court and by the demand of the people,” Goldberger said. “The court ruled there were considerable problems and they (the city) did a Band-Aid job.”

Humphrey said the group also plans Thursday to turn in petitions forcing a referendum on Metro Pointe, a $90-million commercial development planned by Arnel Development Co.

That plan calls for construction of three office towers on 12 acres bordered by South Coast Drive, Bear Street and the freeway.