Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Pacifica, California, Rockaway Quarry Residential Development, Measure W (November 2016)
| Measure W: Pacifica Rockaway Quarry Residential Development |
|---|
|
| 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 San Mateo County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Pacifica, California |
A measure addressing housing development was on the ballot for Pacifica voters in San Mateo County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing residential development at the Rockaway Quarry. |
| A no vote was a vote against this proposal authorizing residential development at the Rockaway Quarry. |
Election results
| Measure W | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 13,194 | 68.86% | ||
| Yes | 5,966 | 31.14% | ||
- Election results from San Mateo County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Shall the Initiative which amends Ordinance Number 391-C.S. to authorize up to 206 multi-family units of residential development at the Rockaway Quarry only under certain conditions specified in the Initiative measure entitled "Pacifica Initiative Amending Ordinance No. 391-C.S. To Authorize a Future Rezone of the Quarry Which Could Include Residential Development, Under Certain Conditions, be adopted?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Pacifica City Attorney:
| “ |
Measure W would amend Ordinance No. 391-C.S. which was adopted by the voters in 1983 ("Ordinance"). That Ordinance rezoned the Rockaway Quarry ("Quarry") to commercial use, and provided that any residential development would require a public vote. Measure W was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by at least ten percent of Pacifica voters as required by Elections Code Section 9211. Measure W, if adopted, would amend the Ordinance to eliminate the need for any further public vote for future rezones of the Quarry to allow residential development so long as the proposed development meets the following conditions: 1) The Quarry developer applies for and the City Council approves a rezoning of the Quarry to a planned development district authorizing a mixed used development that includes hotel, recreational, retail, and residential uses that are substantially consistent with the conceptual land use plan attached to Measure W ("Map"). Prior to any rezone, the Council must approve any necessary general or specific plan amendments and determine the development will be built using green building standards. All approvals must comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations. 2) At least 75% of the Quarry must be designated as permanently protected open space. New, publicly accessible trails must be constructed that connect Rockaway Beach to Mori Point. Grading for development would be required to minimize erosion and restore wetlands. 3) Before building permits are issued, the developer must complete a traffic study and internal circulation and parking plan, pay all appropriate traffic impact fees, and implement any transportation mitigation measures required to mitigate sigifnicant traffic impacts identified during environmental review. 4) Retail, restaurant, entertainment, and office space development would not exceed two stores in height. Retail and restaurant space would not exceed 35,000 square feet. Office space would not exceed 35,000 square feet. 5) Residential uses would be limited to 206 multi-family units, which cannot exceed four stories in height. Of these 206 units, no more than 181 would be apartment units of which at least 20 percent must be designated as affordable for very low, lower, or moderate income households. At least 25 units must be designated as live-work units. 6) The hotel would be limited to 200 rooms, including no more than 188 hotel rooms and no more than 12 bungalows. The bungalows could not exceed 2,500 square feet each. The conference venue could not exceed 13,000 square feet. In order to pass, Measure W must receive a majority (i.e. 50% plus one) of the ballots cast. A "Yes" vote would be in favor of amending the Ordinance to allow the City to approve a rezone of the Quarry that includes residential development, without a further public vote so long as all of the conditions above are met. A "No" vote would be against amending the Ordinance such that any residential development of the Quarry would require a public vote. |
” |
| —Pacifica City Attorney[1] | ||
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:[1]
- Michael "Mike" Mooney, founder of the Liberty Garden along Calera Creek
- Gerald "Jerry" Trecroci, Former Board Trustee, Pacifica School District
- Cheryl Yoes, Member of the Board of Directors, Pacifica Chamber of Commerce
- Pamela Winston, Designer, Business Owner
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
We have carefully read Measure W - the Rockaway Quarry initiative - and we strongly encourage you to vote Yes! Any vote concerning the Quarry is important to Pacifica. We encourage all Pacifica residents to read the measure for yourselves. You will see that Measure W is a thoughtful approach; ensuring our community will benefit from permanent open space; limited development, significant tax revenue; and needed traffic mitigation. Here is what Measure W does:
It's really important to understand what Measure W does not do. As clearly laid out in the City's official report:
Take the time to read Measure W yourself. We believe you will come to support it like we did. You can find out more information at www.YesOnTheQuarry.com Please Vote Yes on Measure W![2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Julie Starobin, Treasurer and Principal Officer Committee to Oppose Rezoning the Pacifica Quarry
- Peter Loeb, former Pacifica mayor
- Cynthia Kaufman, former Pacifica School Board Trustee
- Chaya Gordon, Co-Chair, Pacificans for Highway 1 Alternatives
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
| “ |
VOTE NO ON 4-STORY OCEANSIDE BUILDINGS WITH 206 HOUSING UNITS Measure W authorizes the City to approve 206 multi-family units but doesn't commit the developer to build anything. We are voting without any review of environmentalor traffic impacts. Haven't we learned what coastal erosion, flooding, and storms do to coastal developments? VOTE NO ON EMPTY PROMISES AND NO GUARANTEES Proponents want you to believe approval will include a hotel, commerical development, open space and more. But Measure W does not guarantee that a hotel or any commerical will be built. The City's own analysis concludes the City has no power to compel the developer to build any part of the project. We could end up with a housing project and nothing more. THERE IS NO PROJECT ON THE BALLOT The City's analysis says this measure "neither approves a specific project nor does it contain specifics about what a future project might include." It also says: "The principal effect of the initiative will be to eliminate the public vote requirement for any residential development on the Quarry Site," except under limited circumstances. Why give up the only leverage voters have withoutk nowing what the project will be, and without guarantees that any promised benefits will happen? VOTE NO ON A HIGH RISK GAMBLE Instead of offering a specific plan, the developer wants a blank check to choose which elements to build. We have no idea what will be built. We don't know what the impacts will be. We don't know what the costs and liabilities for the City will be. We don't know what the traffic will be like. We are being asked to roll the dice on a very risky bet. DON'T GAMBLE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE! DEMAND SOLID GUARANTEES! VOTE NO ON MEASURE W. |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a successful initiative petition campaign.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pacifica 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
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
