Local News in Brief : View Petition Advances

Proponents of a Rancho Palos Verdes view-protection initiative obtained enough valid signatures on petitions to get the measure on the ballot but not until next year, City Clerk Jo Purcell said this week.

She said 2,963 of the 3,222 names submitted by the Rancho Palos Verdes Council of Homeowners Assns. were legally acceptable. The total was in excess of the 10% required. Proponents had aimed for this November’s ballot, but Purcell said that signatures from 15% of the voters would be required to put the measure to vote on a non-municipal election.

The homeowner group said it resorted to the initiative process because the city has refused to take action to protect views that homeowners contend are being lost to buildings that are too tall and are being blocked by trees.

Naomi Phillips, president of the homeowners group, said the group plans to “bring public pressure to bear” to insist that the council place the item on this November’s ballot. “We have demonstrated overwhelming interest in the community that these issues be addressed,” she said.

The council has the option under state law to adopt the initiative as an ordinance or put it on the November, 1989, ballot, Purcell said.

Mayor Robert Ryan ruled out adopting the initiative, saying, “No one will even make a motion.”

City officials have said the proposed measure is probably unconstitutional and does not clarify how its provisions would integrated into existing regulations.