Report on Plan to Slow Growth Is Propaganda, Sponsors Say

Officials estimate that a proposed initiative to limit development in Burbank could cost nearly $57 million, but the sponsor of the measure called the city’s figures blatant propaganda intended to frighten voters.

In a report outlining the fiscal impact of Measure 2 on the February ballot, city officials on Tuesday painted a dreary picture, saying the initiative could hamper their efforts to recycle land vacated by Lockheed Corp. The report also said a loss of tax money caused by a building slowdown could translate into a cutback of city services.

All told, Measure 2 could cost the city $56.8 million over five years--or nearly $11.4 million a year, according to the report compiled by Financial Services Director Tracey L. Hampton. The city’s projections include staff time to implement the changes demanded by Measure 2 as well as a loss of anticipated tax revenue from new development.

“Measure 2 could destroy almost everything we are trying to build in this community,” Councilman Robert Bowne said after reviewing the report, which was ordered by the City Council last month.

But Dave Golonski, the sponsor of the initiative, said the city’s figures are skewed because they were based on unrealistic business projections. He said the city overestimated the amount of building that would take place in the next five years.

“I am appalled that the city would produce such a grossly inaccurate report, which is clearly intended to dissuade the residents from supporting this measure,” Golonski said in a written statement. “The facts and accuracy seem to have been sacrificed in order to promote an agenda.”

Similar to an initiative passed last year in Pasadena, Measure 2 would cap commercial and residential growth and encourage policies to “maintain Burbank as a suburban, residential community.” It would place limits on the height of new buildings and would try to ensure that developers pay for improvements to the city infrastructure around new projects.

City Planner Rick Pruetz said building restrictions in Measure 2 might discourage developers from building on land left vacant by Lockheed, which announced in May that it will pull much of its operation out of Burbank, leaving nearly 300 acres vacant. City officials view the departure of the aerospace company as a chance to redesign the northwest section of Burbank, promoting cleaner industries such as office parks and retail outlets around Burbank Airport.

Golonski said Measure 2 encourages efforts to find new tenants for Lockheed land, adding that much of the property will be exempt from the initiative’s building caps as long as new projects do not exceed 110% of existing floor space. A 10,000-square-foot warehouse, for instance, could be replaced by an 11,000-square-foot building without being subject to Measure 2.

“We’re not advocating no-growth,” Golonski said. “Just managed growth.”