LOS ALAMITOS : Redevelopment Plan Will Be on Ballot

The City Council this week agreed to place a measure on the June, 1992, ballot asking voters whether the city should proceed with its first redevelopment plan.

Council members called for the ballot item after rejecting a citizens’ initiative in September that sought a referendum on the issue.

The group organizing the referendum drive had gathered enough signatures to force a vote on the measure, but City Manager Robert C. Dunek, who is also the city clerk, ruled the petition invalid after determining that some people who signed it were not fully informed about the plan.

Citizens for Fair Government, which organized the petition effort, denied they had gathered signatures improperly. They have since filed two lawsuits against the city, challenging both the redevelopment plan and Dunek’s ruling.

Since the council has agreed to place the plan before the voters, the group has not announced whether it will drop either or both of the suits. The council is scheduled to adopt specific wording for the ballot measure at its Dec. 9 meeting.

Council members said they still staunchly support the city’s inaugural redevelopment plan, which is centered in the main business district at Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue.

The council last year established the city Redevelopment Agency, and in July approved its first redevelopment plan. The project area does not include any residential properties and precludes the agency from using eminent domain to acquire property. Nonetheless, opponents fear the agency may still use eminent domain and will target homes as part of the plan.

The petition effort and other pressure from residents convinced council members to ask voter approval on the plan, Mayor Ronald Bates said. At a recent public hearing on the issues, speakers were divided on whether to support the plan, but most agreed that the voters should have final say.

The redevelopment plan has been suspended until next year’s election is held.