Culver City : 2 Growth Plans on Ballot

Voters will find two competing growth-limiting measures on the ballot in April, one the result of a petition drive and the other proposed by the City Council.

The City Council on Tuesday decided to put on the ballot a proposed ordinance that would impose density limits and require traffic-mitigation improvements for any non-residential buildings taller than 43 feet.

The measure also requires that those buildings must not block views or cause “significant detriment” by their shade, shadows, or glare.

The initiative based on voter signatures has only a height limit--56 feet--and applies only to specific commercial zones. Slow-growth advocates in 1988 collected nearly 3,000 signatures to qualify it for the ballot.

Heights are now limited by an interim ordinance to 58.5 feet, with an additional 13.5 feet allowed for architectural features and mechanical or electrical equipment.

The council voted 3 to 1 to add the alternative measure to the ballot, with Councilman Paul Jacobs saying the citizens’ initiative is too simplistic and does not address density. Mayor Jozelle Smith said the council measure offers “flexible yet tough” standards.

But Councilman Steven Gourley objected to the council measure as a “cynical attempt to blow smoke at the citizens” that is not “offered in the best faith.” He said he favored including a 56-foot height limit in the council version.

Should both measures pass, the one that gets the most votes will prevail.