La Habra Heights Development Plan Takes a Powder : Election: Voters reject a measure to allow million-dollar homes and a golf course in remote canyon. Lynwood voters defeat card club, and term limits are approved in Downey.

La Habra Heights voters this week soundly rejected a developer’s plans for a private golf course and million-dollar homes in one of the area’s most secluded canyons, ending six years of bitter feuding over a proposal that was viewed as a referendum on the city’ rural character.

Opponents of the Powder Canyon project savored their victory at an election night party that included hors d’oeuvres and bouquets of roses. Their grass-roots movement, which included door-to-door canvassing and repeated mass mailings, helped attract nearly 53% of the city’s registered voters to the polls. With all precincts reporting, the plan was rejected by a vote of 1,261 to 588.

“The city was obviously not prepared to live with this (development),” said Jill Kowalik, co-chairwoman of the citizens committee that fought the plan. “This was about people who live here versus an outside developer who wants to build something that may be acceptable in other Southern California cities but not to us.”

The Powder Canyon battle was one of several ballot issues resolved Tuesday in Southeast cities. Lynwood voters overwhelmingly rejected a casino proposal, and Downey voters approved term limits on council members.

The La Habra Heights project, proposed by Torrance-based Forum Country Clubs of California, would have placed a country club, golf course and 150 residential lots for luxury homes on 540 acres in remote Powder Canyon, on the city border with Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights.

Forum’s chief executive officer, Donald Miller, said he was surprised by the strong rejection vote, but added that the company probably will propose a new project that would have only residential development.

“It’s back to the boards,” Miller said. “I think there’s a use for the land. We’re going to find a plan that works.” Forum executives worked on the project for six years, spending much of that time trying to resolve concerns about the project’s environmental effects, Miller said.

Residents and City Council members were divided over the potential effects of the project, and exchanged insults publicly at council meetings and through mailings. Critics contended the plan would open their mountainous enclave, which has only one other business--a golf course--to wanton development and destroy fragile plant and animal life in the canyon. They objected to amendments to the city’s General Plan that would have allowed Forum to build more lots on the slopes than allowed elsewhere in the city.

Supporters cited the financial benefits for the cash-starved city, including $6.8 million in fees plus an additional $100,000 annually once the project was completed. Those funds are badly needed because the city is struggling through a drop in revenues and state budget cuts, Mayor Diane Kane said.

Voters also overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 3% utility user tax that would have generated $215,000 annually for the city.

Without the anticipated revenue, the city will have to make further service cuts, City Manager Noelia F. Chapa said. The city already has reduced City Hall hours from 40 to 36 hours a week and slashed staff salaries 10% this year. The city will consider reducing the daytime hours of Los Angeles County sheriff’s patrols in La Habra Heights, she said.

Lynwood Casino

Voters said no to a controversial card club proposal that was pushed by a minister who admitted he did not have financial backing--or the expertise--to run the multimillion-dollar operation.

The Rev. Charles L. Floyd promised a portion of the revenues for the city and social programs, but opponents, led by a coalition of ministers, said a casino would bring more crime to the city.

The Lynwood proposal was the latest of several card casino measures to fail at the polls. In August, Bellflower voters rejected a proposal, even after investors mounted a lavish campaign promoting the financial benefits for the cash-starved town. Voters in Pico Rivera, Cypress and West Hollywood also had rejected casino proposals.

Downey Term Limits

Voters decided to limit council members to two consecutive four-year terms. Three of the five council members questioned the need for the measure, saying the council has regular turnover.

Councilwoman Diane P. Boggs is serving her third term, but the remaining four council members are serving their first terms. Boggs will not be allowed to seek reelection when her term expires in 1996, but she said she had planned to step down regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Former Councilman Joseph Di Loreto, who tried unsuccessfully once before to place a term limit measure on the ballot, spearheaded the campaign. “When people serve more than eight years, the focus of their energy is not on doing the bidding of the people but on getting reelected,” Di Loreto said.

Downey is the latest California city to impose term limits. Among other cities that restrict council terms are Cerritos, Long Beach and Redondo Beach.