Debate Needed on Growth Plans

In a rerun of the 1988 battle of the ballot measures, the San Diego City Council on Thursday will consider one growth-control initiative and a rival measure that was written primarily by the building industry.

Mayor Maureen O’Connor has urged the council to adopt a version of the initiative sponsored by Prevent Los Angelization Now!, a successor to Citizens for Limited Growth.

We are heartened by the mayor’s leadership on the issue and the possibility that the council might take stronger steps to deal with the problems of growth, rather than leaving such complicated land-use matters to the voters.

But a decision at the Thursday meeting, which was originally scheduled for discussion of the measures, would be premature. There has been little public debate on either initiative. Even though the PLAN initiative has much to recommend it, adopting it without more time for public comment would be little better than putting it on the ballot. The council owes it to the public to publicly consider the merits of both measures.

It may be tempting to act, to try to get the divisive issue resolved, but a hasty decision could invite further ballot measures and undermine the very public support that a council-adopted growth plan would need to withstand challenge.