HUNTINGTON BEACH : More Study Due on Park/Beach Measure

The question of when proposed construction on park or beach land must be placed before voters has been sent to a committee for further study.

Under Measure C, an initiative passed by 75% of the voters in 1990, residents must vote on any construction proposed for park or beach land.

But it is unclear whether a project should go before voters when first proposed or after receiving city approval.

A council subcommittee made up of Measure C authors recommended the latter. But some council members said the costly approval process places financial burdens on developers, which could include nonprofit groups.

Members also said voters might not have enough information to make an informed decision. But Councilman David Sullivan, who was among the four authors of the measure, said people would “know what they are voting on.”

The council has told the city staff and the subcommittee to develop a checklist to outline a project’s financial impacts and parameters, including environmental concerns, specific design, size and location.

Ron Hagan, community services director, said the checklist would allow any development on parks or beaches to be placed on a ballot before completion of the approval process.

The developer, he said, would “be spending some money to get to a checklist but wouldn’t be spending the full amount to get through the process.” And voters would still have a clear picture of what they’re voting on, he said.

Sullivan said he is weary of the checklist idea but willing to discuss it.