Growth-Limit Measure Attracts Big Funding

Supporters of a growth-management ballot measure written by Mayor Andy Fox have launched a cable television and mailing campaign, financed almost entirely by contributions from a group of auto dealers and Fox’s former campaign manager.

Citizens to Protect our General Plan--Yes on Measure E has raised $17,484 in contributions, including $1,500 from the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall Assn. and $15,696 from BTR Inc., owned by Jill Lederer, who managed Fox’s 1994 campaign.

The group argues in its television spots and upcoming literature that the measure--which requires voter approval for any private development that strays from the city’s blueprint for growth--is a no-brainer.

To underscore that point, the ads display a formidable list of community leaders and elected officials who have thrown their weight behind the measure, including the chairs of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

Jeff Alexander, who founded the committee and serves as its treasurer, said the number of people who have volunteered their names--and cash--in support of Measure E has pleasantly exceeded his expectations.

“Frankly, I’ve been surprised at the response,” said Alexander, a former owner of a Thousand Oaks feed shop who has campaigned to preserve the city’s rural origins. “The reason I created this group is because I thought some of the arguments against this measure were not factual. I felt it was important to get the truth before the people, and let them make a decision.”

Opponents of Measure E, however, are bypassing the list of supporters and pointing instead to the list of financial contributions of $100 or more released Thursday.

“The money’s incredible,” Planning Commissioner Linda Parks said of the contribution by Lederer, who owns 10 Domino’s pizza franchises. “I’m just blown away. I’m trying to get my word out to the people too, but I don’t have a sugar mama, a pizza mama.”

Parks, who is running for City Council, argued that the contributions are an attempt to ramrod Measure E to take the focus away from what she sees as the pro-development records of Fox, Councilwoman Judy Lazar and Councilman Mike Markey, who is seeking reelection.

Although it addresses development on areas already zoned for growth, not on pristine lands, Parks also contends that City Council-sponsored Measure E is an attempt to upstage her own initiative.

*

The Parks initiative was a successful petition drive to prevent development of open spaces without voter approval. Council members approved the initiative in the form of an ordinance earlier this year instead of placing it on the ballot. Shortly afterward, the council voted to put Fox’s initiative on the ballot.

“The Parks ordinance succeeded because of support from the people,” Parks said. “This, if it succeeds, is going to succeed because of big money.”

Moreover, Parks criticized Measure E as an act of hypocrisy by the City Council, saying that it seeks to place restrictions on private property owners, but exempts public agencies such as the city from having to play by the same rules.

“If it’s such a good ordinance, why won’t it apply to [city-owned property] too?” Parks said. “To me, that sets a bad precedent. They’re excluding themselves from their own laws, and you’re going to see some tall buildings on the private side of the Civic Arts Plaza.”

Lederer said any attempts to draw attention to her contribution are really efforts to draw the focus away from Measure E, which she sees as a simple, straightforward ordinance that will keep Thousand Oaks from growing too fast.

*

She said she contributes 10% of her pretax profits to a variety of Thousand Oaks causes, from affordable-housing advocates Many Mansions to the local chapters of the American Youth Soccer Organization. This case, she argued, is no different.

“My response to any criticism of money spent is that it’s a small portion of the money I donate to causes in this community,” Lederer said. “There’s no price too high to pay for the truth, and what is important to Thousand Oaks.

“If people read the measure, I believe they will see that it will protect the most valuable asset this city has, its semi-rural atmosphere,” she added. “And no price is too much to pay for that.”

Fox could not be reached for comment Friday.

Measure E seeks to limit excessive growth in Thousand Oaks by requiring voter approval for any private development that exceeds General Plan guidelines for its location.

Opponents of the measure, most notably Councilwoman Elois Zeanah, contend that it contains loopholes that would actually allow taller, denser buildings in Thousand Oaks. They also argue that it would not survive legal challenge, because similar ordinances have not held up in court, and that it would promote growth just outside the city borders, leading to urban sprawl.

“These are the developers’ pawns that have sponsored this,” Zeanah charged. “They’re saying this gives voters the right to vote on density changes, but most of the land that is left for development is owned by the city and the schools, and they’re not affected.”

Alexander said none of the arguments opposing Measure E is based on fact, and he asks Thousand Oaks voters to read the measure for themselves and form their own opinion.

“You can argue all you want about who gave what, but the measure speaks for itself,” Alexander said. “The problem with this measure is that it’s become so clouded in politics that people are confused about what it would actually do, when what it would do is all good.

“Anyone who argues against this has a political ax to grind.”