City of Placerville Voter Approval of Roundabouts Initiative, Measure K (November 2014)

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A City of Placerville Voter Approval of Roundabouts Initiative was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Placerville in El Dorado County, California. It was approved.

This initiative measure required approval from city voters before any roundabout or traffic circle could be constructed in the city. The group behind the initiative was called Friends of Historic Hangtown.

The effort was triggered by opposition to the city council's plan to build a roundabout at the corner of Main Street and Cedar Ravine.

Election results

Placerville City Measure K
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		1,671	58.24%
No		1,198	41.76%

Election results via: El Dorado County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Shall the City of Placerville’s General Plan be amended to prohibit a roundabout or similar traffic features anywhere within the City limits of Placerville without approval of popular vote?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure K:

“	The stated purpose of this initiative is to prohibit construction of roundabouts, traffic circles or other similar traffic features anywhere within the Placerville city limits unless approved by popular vote. The initiative, if approved by the voters, would amend the City's General Plan to add Goal B that would prohibit, unless approved by popular vote, the City of Placerville from doing any of the following with respect to traffic features commonly known as "roundabouts," "traffic circles" or any other similar traffic features (cumulatively "traffic features") on or with respect to any public street or roadway anywhere within the Placerville city limits: (1) constructing or utilizing said traffic features; (2) requiring others to construct said traffic features; (3) adopting street standards or specifications requiring construction or utilization of said traffic features; or (4) carrying out or approving a project to construct as a condition of approval of any project or issuance of any permit or permission with respect to said traffic features. Therefore, under the language of the proposed initiative ordinance, use of roundabouts, traffic circles, or any other "similar traffic features" within the Placerville city limits would be prohibited unless approved by popular vote. "Similar traffic features" is undefined and could lead to disputes regarding future roadway designs. The City does not legally control all streets within its jurisdiction; the effect of the proposed initiative ordinance on streets that the City does not legally control is unclear. This measure was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters. A "Yes" vote is to approve the measure and to prohibit "roundabouts" or other similar traffic features unless approved by the City's voters at a separate election. A "No" vote is a vote against the measure. Measure K would be approved if it received a simple majority of "Yes" votes.	”
—John W. Driscoll, Placerville City Attorney

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure K:

• Friends of Historic Hangtown and Evelyn van der Riet
• Carol Lynn Smith, owner of Empress
• Gloria K. Smith, 92-year Placerville resident
• Allan Combellack, owner of Combellack's Store

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure K:

“	Measure K would give voters the right to vote on Roundabout projects in Placerville before they could be built. Vote YES on Measure K to establish that right. The City Council spent years promoting the Clay Street realignment project at the site of the Druid Monument at Main Street and Cedar Ravine without being willing to listen to public input and to respect the city's rich historic features. That $5,000,000 project would put more traffic on Main Street, endanger or ruin popular local businesses, eliminate parking spaces, displace the Farmers' Market and destroy the only wheelchair accessible park on Hangtown Creek. Years of public meetings and a lawsuit judgment made it clear that there was overwhelming public opposition to the project, and yet the City Council continued spending funds to pursue this project without ever considering if the project needs to be built at all. Now the City Council is planning to develop many more multimillion-dollar roundabouts throughout Placerville. The failure of the Council to listen to the public and consider the impacts on our economic and historic assets for the last eight years requires that these projects receive public scrutiny before construction. Have a say in how your taxpayer dollars are spent. Have a say in determining Placerville's look, feel and the overall character. Measure K simply requires voter approval for any transportation project that includes a Roundabout. Vote YES for Measure K. Give voters the right to be fully informed and to vote on Roundabout projects.	”
—Friends of Historic Hangtown and Evelyn van der Riet, Carol Lynn Smith, Gloria K. Smith and Allan Combellack

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure K:

• Marian Washburn, former mayor, city councilmember and Placerville resident
• Steven Neau, nuclear field engineer and Placerville resident
• Mark A. Acuna, former mayor of Placerville, Placerville City Councilmember and Placerville resident
• Susan Dilts Huber, 45-year resident of El Dorado County

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure K:

“	The organization pushing Measure "K" wants you to give up your future options by prohibiting all traffic circles or roundabouts anywhere in Placerville. Do not be fooled. This measure strips flexibility out of Placerville's traffic planning. Measure "K" constricts decisions made by our local elected leaders in concert with local citizens. If a traffic circle or roundabout would improve the traffic in your neighborhood, Measure "K" says you cannot have it without first getting the approval of a citywide vote. We do not need this increased bureaucracy in Placerville. Many design options work together to improve traffic flow and safety: speed bumps, sidewalks, roundabouts, stop signs, etc. The organization pushing Measure "K" denies the benefits of traffic circles, including reduced air pollution, increased safety, and more efficient traffic flow. Check the facts. Traffic safety websites will tell you the information you need. Measure "K" supporters have already cost us over a million taxpayer dollars, but this initiative's future cost will be much more. Measure "K" creates complications that will block us from getting our share of road improvement funds that our city needs so badly. If Measure "K" passes, the road taxes we pay at the pump will be reallocated to street improvement projects outside of Placerville. Measure "K" is extreme. We do not need this initiative controlling our future. Vote NO on Measure "K"	”
—Marian Washburn, Steven Neau, Mark A. Acuna and Susan Dilts Huber

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

Proponents needed 533 valid signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. On May 15, 2014, the city clerk delivered over 660 submitted signatures to the county elections office for verification. The elections office certified the initiative for the ballot.

See also

• Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot
• El Dorado County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• El Dorado County Elections Office website