Calabasas, California, Canyon Oaks Zoning Referendum, Measure F (November 2016)
| Measure F: Calabasas Canyon Oaks Zoning Referendum |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
|
| Topic: |
| Local zoning, land use and development |
| Related articles |
| Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Los Angeles County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Calabasas, California |
A zoning referendum was on the ballot for Calabasas voters in Los Angeles County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of rezoning the 77 acre property at 4790 Las Virgenes Road to allow for the development of a subdivision and hotel, commonly known as the Canyon Oaks project. |
| A no vote was a vote against against rezoning the property. |
Election results
| Measure F | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 6,990 | 64.81% | ||
| Yes | 3,795 | 35.19% | ||
- Election results from Los Angeles County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Shall the Ordinance No. 2016-333 approving changing the existing Zoning from Planned Development – Residential Multifamily (20) – Open Space Development Restricted – Scenic Corridor to Commercial Retail – Residential Multifamily (20) – Open Space Development Restricted – Scenic Corridor – Development Plan to accommodate: 67 Single-Family Detached Homes and two Affordable Duplexes; a 72,872 square-foot, three-story hotel; and preservation of approximately 61.0 acres as Permanent Open Space on a 77-acre property at 4790 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas be approved?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Calabasas City Attorney:
| “ |
Measure F is a referendum over adoption by the City Council of Ordinance 2016-333 which approves a zone change to allow development of 67 single family detached homes, 4 affordable units within two duplex structures, a 72,872 square foot, three-story hotel; and preservation of approximately 61 acres as permanent open space on a 77 acre property at 4790 Las Virgenes Road. The project is commonly known as Canyon Oaks. A referendum requires a Council-adopted ordinance to be submitted to the voters of the City for approval or rejection. Background: Prior to adoption of Ordinance 2016-333 the zoning for the property was Planned Development-Residential Multifamily (20) and Open Space Development Restricted–Scenic Corridor. This zoning along with the associated General Plan designation envisioned possible development of up to 155,000 square feet of commercial development and 180 multifamily residential units, and would preserve approximately 61 acres as permanent open space. This does not mean that an application for a project of this size or density would be submitted or approved, just that such project would be compliant with the former zoning and associated General Plan designation. Environmental review and public hearings of any such proposed project, along with consideration of required approvals by the Planning Commission and City Council would still be necessary. Ordinance 2016-333: Under Ordinance 2016-333 the zone change and associated General Plan amendment allow development of 67 single family homes, 4 affordable units within two duplex structures, and the 72,872 square foot hotel, and preserves approximately 61 acres as permanent open space. A YES VOTE on Measure F would result in approval of Ordinance 2016-333, which, along with the associated General Plan amendment, would establish land use authorization for development of 67 single family homes, 4 affordable units within two duplex structures, and the 72,872 square foot hotel, and preserve approximately 61 acres as permanent open space. A NO VOTE on Measure F would reject Ordinance 2016-333 and mean that the development project described above (67 single family homes, 4 affordable units within two duplex structures, and the 72,872 square foot hotel), could not be implemented. The city will be prevented from approving the same or substantially similar development for a period of one year. A no vote does not change the previous zoning and General Plan designations for the project site (see Background) and these would remain in effect.[2] |
” |
| —Calabasas City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[3]
- FRED GAINES, Calabasas City Councilmember
- DAVID J. SHAPIRO, Calabasas City Councilmember
- ALICIA WEINTRAUB, Calabasas City Councilmember
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]
| “ |
We urge your YES vote on Measure F. A YES vote on Measure F will preserve lower density zoning. A no vote would re-establish a higher density zoning and allow for more building. The single family homes and hotel approved by the City Council represent an over 50% reduction in the amount of building to be allowed on the City’s largest remaining vacant developable commercial parcel (at the Las Virgenes Road and Agoura Road intersection). The City’s 2030 General Plan and current zoning allow for building up to 155,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and 180 multi-family residential units at this site. After a full Environmental Impact Report was considered at numerous public hearings, the City Council voted to limit the project to a single 73,000 sq. ft. hotel and 71 single family homes. This cuts in half the size and density of the allowed building. The City Council’s action will protect 61 acres as permanent open space, includes the planting of over 400 new oak trees, and requires the builder to remediate a hazardous landslide condition which could threaten public safety.The City Council denied the developer’s request to exceed the City’s three story height limit. The approved project will result in three times less vehicle traffic than allowed under the current higher-density zoning. In addition, the proposed hotel is expected to provide over $500,000 per year in revenue to the City which can be used for additional Sheriff’s patrols, youth and senior programs, and enhanced beautification, environmental and community services. The zoning revision approved by your City Council strikes the proper balance between our community’s desire for lower density development, open space protection, fiscal responsibility, and respect for the rights of private property owners in our City. Please vote YES on Measure F.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]
- MARY HUBBARD, President, Malibu Canyon Community Association
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]
| “ |
Vote NO because... The project is too big for this sensitive canyon. Invaluable scenic vistas would be obstructed. The costs far outweigh the benefits: 4,000,811 million cubic yards of soil would be moved, cutting down hills and using the dirt to fill in the valley to create flat building pads. Existing designated open space would be lost, converted without the 2/3 vote by residents required by city ordinance. Over 1,500 new car trips per day would heavily impact already congested roads. The threat of maximum build-out is grossly overstated. “The build-out is worst case scenario...so it’s nothing that I think would ever happen...Most people I talk to realize...that it would never be built out to capacity. That just isn’t realistic.” (Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer) The project’s current size is not acceptable merely because it is less than the maximum allowed by law. The site is constrained by steep slopes, an ancient landslide, iconic viewshed, rare natural springs and wetlands, rare plant communities, heritage oaks, wildlife corridor, adjacency to parkland and residences. Viable alternatives exist proposed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: 19 estate homes, houses only, hotel only. A smaller project would have less grading, less traffic, less impact on views, open space, resources, and people. The development sets negative precedent because it goes against critical General Plan policies: development must conform to the land, resource protection has priority over development, development must fit the character of the community, wetlands receive highest protection, tax revenue is not a reason to approve development. The project was opposed by James Bozajian, Mayor, Mary Sue Maurer, Councilmember, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, California Native Plant Society, Save Open Space/Santa Monica Mountains, Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation, Calabasas Coalition, Malibu Canyon Community Association, over 90% of residents commenting on it.[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a successful referendum petition campaign.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Calabasas Local zoning, land use and development. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "Measures Appearing on the Ballot," accessed November 1, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Voter's Edge California, "Measure F," accessed November 1, 2016
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