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San Diego County, California, Measure A, Voter Approval for Land Use Amendments to County General Plan (March 2020): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Local Ballot Measures-Portal Masthead Image-icons.png|center|953px|Local ballot measure elections in 2020]]
[[File:Local Ballot Measures-Portal Masthead Image-icons.png|center|953px|Local ballot measure elections in 2020]]
{{Ballot box
| name =  '''Measure A:''' San Diego County Voter Approval for Land Use Amendments
| election date = March 3, 2020
| state = California
| jurisdiction = San Diego County
| county = San Diego
| official title = Measure A
| year = 2020
| status = {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name=San Diego County Measure A|OB=On the ballot|APP=Approved|DEF=Defeated}}
| status image = {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name= San Diego County Measure A|OB=|APP={{Approved}}|DEF={{Defeated}}}}
| type =  Initiative
| topic = Local zoning, land use and development
| topic2 = County governance
| topic3 =
}}
A '''initiative requiring voter approval for land use amendments to the county's General Plan''' {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm CDT| before = is |after = was}} on the ballot for voters in [[San Diego County, California ballot measures|San Diego County]], [[California]], on [[March 3, 2020 ballot measures in California|March 3, 2020]]. {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name=San Diego County Measure A|OB=|APP=It was '''approved'''.|DEF=It was '''defeated'''.}}
<APIWidget where="ballot_measures.id = '11900'" template="BallotMeasureYesNoBox"/>


{{LBMmenu|Complex=N}}
A related measure, [[San Diego County, California, Measure B, General Plan Amendments for Newland Sierra Project (March 2020)|San Diego County, Measure B, General Plan Amendments for Newland Sierra Project]] {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm CDT| before = is |after = was}} on the ballot for [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]] voters. Measure B {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name=San Diego County Measure B|OB=would amend|APP=amended|DEF=would have amended}} the county's General Plan to authorize the development of the Newland Sierra Project, which {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name=San Diego County Measure B|OB=will include|APP=included|DEF=would have included}} over 2,000 homes, a school, retail space, parks, and open space.
{{LBMInfoBox
|Year = 2020
|Title = '''Measure A:''' San Diego County Voter Approval for Land Use Amendments to County General Plan
|Type=Initiative
|Image =
|ImageSize =
|Topic =Local zoning, land use and development
|Topic2 =County governance
|Topic3 =
|OfficialTitle=Measure A
|Status =On the ballot
|StatusImage = {{LBMUnresolved}}
|Election date=March 3, 2020
|State =California
|County =San Diego
|County2=
|County3=
|Jurisdiction =San Diego County
|Ballot language =
Shall this Initiative be adopted for the purpose of amending the San Diego County General Plan to require voter approval for General Plan amendments that increase residential density for property designated by the General Plan as Semi-Rural or Rural?
|Link1=[[County governance on the ballot]]
|Link2=
|SeeAlso1=
|SeeAlso2=
}}A '''initiative requiring voter approval for land use amendments to the county's General Plan''' {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm CDT| before = is |after = was}} on the ballot for [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]] voters in [[San Diego County, California ballot measures|San Diego County]], [[California]], on [[March 3, 2020 ballot measures in California|March 3, 2020]]. {{LBM-SU-March2020|Name=San Diego County Measure A|OB=|APP=It was '''approved'''.|DEF=It was '''defeated'''.}}
{{Yesbox|A '''yes '''vote {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm CDT | before = is|after = was}} a vote <u>in favor</u> of requiring voter approval for amendments to the county's General Plan that increase population density for semi-rural or rural land classifications.}}
{{Nobox|A '''no '''vote {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm CDT | before = is|after = was}} a vote <u>against</u> requiring voter approval for amendments to the county's General Plan that increase population density for semi-rural or rural land classifications.}}


==Election results==
==Election results==
Results will be displayed here on March 3, 2020.
<APIWidget where="ballot_measures.id = '11900'" template="BallotMeasureResults" />
 
==Text of measure==
==Text of measure==
===Ballot question===
===Ballot question===
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{{Quote|
{{Quote|
Shall this Initiative be adopted for the purpose of amending the San Diego County General Plan to require voter approval for General Plan amendments that increase residential density for property designated by the General Plan as Semi-Rural or Rural?}}
Shall this Initiative be adopted for the purpose of amending the San Diego County General Plan to require voter approval for General Plan amendments that increase residential density for property designated by the General Plan as Semi-Rural or Rural?}}
===Impartial analysis===
The following impartial analysis of Measure A was prepared by the office of the San Diego County Counsel:<ref>[https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTaJUjNweu03UJfCDbS1V0yFrfLPsIlBkE31X564EZVcVdw4pElDA_LMeLBwIO87bT0jzHuzt5sLxts/pub ''San Diego County'', "Impartial Analysis of Measures A and B," accessed January 23, 2020]</ref>
{{Scroll box|height=300px|width=600px|
{{Quote|
This measure asks voters to amend the County of San Diego General Plan ('General Plan') by requiring voter approval for amendments to the General Plan that increase residential density in semi-rural and rural areas.
This measure would amend the General Plan to:
(a) Until January 1, 2039, require voter approval for any General Plan amendment, that is approved by the County of San Diego, which increases the residential density for any property that is designated Semi-Rural 0.5, Semi-Rural 1, Semi-Rural 2, Semi-Rural 4, Semi-Rural 10, Rural Lands 20, Rural Lands 40, or Rural Lands 80 as of the effective date of the Initiative
(b) Exempt a project from the voter approval requirement if: (i) the amendment increases the maximum number of allowed dwelling units by five or fewer dwelling units; (ii) the property is entirely within the boundary of a village or rural village as established in a Community Plan or Subregional Plan as of the effective date of the Initiative; or (iii) the amendment is necessary to comply with state or federal law governing the provision of housing, provided the Board of Supervisors makes findings that: (A) state or federal law requires the County to accommodate the housing; (B) the amendment permits no greater density than necessary to accommodate the required housing; (C) an alternative site that is not subject to the voter approval requirement is not available to satisfy the state or federal housing law:
(c) Until January 1, 2039, prohibit the designation of new Specific Plan Areas; and
(d) Permanently prohibit density transfers from higher density parcels to lower density parcels.
The text of this measure comes from the Safeguard our San Diego Countryside Initiative petition, which was signed by at least 10% of voters and therefore required the Board of Supervisors to either adopt the General Plan amendments proposed by the Initiative or place them before countywide voters. The Board of Supervisors placed the changes on the ballot as this measure.
This measure will become effective only if approved by a majority of voters voting on the measure.
A 'yes' vote on this measure means that until 2039, General Plan amendments increasing residential density in semi-rural and rural areas require voter approval in addition to applicable County approval processes, and designation of new Specific Plan Areas would be prohibited. It would also permanently prohibit density transfers from higher density parcels to lower density parcels, including within a project site. Text adopted by this measure may only be amended or repealed by voter approval.
A 'no' vote on this measure means that if the Board of Supervisors approves a General Plan amendment, it would not also require voter approval. It also means that the General Plan may contain new land use designations for Specific Plan Areas, and that density transfers continue to be allowed.}}}}


===Full text===
===Full text===
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==Background==
==Background==
===San Diego General Plan===
===San Diego County General Plan===
San Diego County General Plan was adopted by the board of supervisors on August 3, 2011. It outlines the land use and development of the county's unincorporated land. California law requires each city and county to have a general plan. Since its adoption, 18 amendments have been passed by the board. Under the proposed measure, amendments would be put on the ballot for a county vote.<ref>[https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/gpupdate/docs/GP/Cover-TOC-Vision.pdf ''San Diego County'', "San Diego County General Plan," accessed January 5, 2020]</ref>
San Diego County General Plan was adopted by the board of supervisors on August 3, 2011. It outlines the land use and development of the county's unincorporated land. California law requires each city and county to have a general plan. Since its adoption, 18 amendments have been passed by the board. Under the proposed measure, amendments would be put on the ballot for a county vote.<ref>[https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/gpupdate/docs/GP/Cover-TOC-Vision.pdf ''San Diego County'', "San Diego County General Plan," accessed January 5, 2020]</ref>
===Newland Sierra Project===
===Newland Sierra Project===
::''See also: [[San Diego County, California, Measure B, General Plan Amendments for Newland Sierra Project (March 2020)|San Diego County Measure B (March 2020)]]
::''See also: [[San Diego County, California, Measure B, General Plan Amendments for Newland Sierra Project (March 2020)|San Diego County Measure B (March 2020)]]
The Newland Sierra Project proposes developing approximately 2,135 homes, 81,000 square feet of commercial space, a school site, and park space. On September 26, 2018, the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to amend the general plan to allow for the development. On December 11, 2018, the board voted to send the project to the [[March 3, 2020 ballot measures in California| March 2020 ballot]].<ref>[https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/dec/11/board-supervisors-vote-puts-north-county-developme/ ''KPBS'', "Board Of Supervisors’ Vote Puts North County Development On 2020 Ballot," December 11, 2018]</ref>
The Newland Sierra Project proposed developing approximately 2,135 homes, 81,000 square feet of commercial space, a school site, and park space. On September 26, 2018, the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to amend the general plan to allow for the development. On December 11, 2018, the board voted to send the project to the [[March 3, 2020 ballot measures in California| March 2020 ballot]].<ref>[https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/dec/11/board-supervisors-vote-puts-north-county-developme/ ''KPBS'', "Board Of Supervisors’ Vote Puts North County Development On 2020 Ballot," December 11, 2018]</ref>


'''Measure A''' and '''Measure B''' have separate support campaigns.
'''Measure A''' and '''Measure B''' {{Greener | start =3/3/2020 9:30pm EST | before = have|after = had}} separate support campaigns.


==Path to the ballot==
==Path to the ballot==

Latest revision as of 06:14, 3 March 2020

Local ballot measure elections in 2020
San Diego County Measure A
LocalBallotMeasures Final.png
Election date
March 3, 2020
Topic
Local zoning, land use and development
Status
Defeatedd Defeated
Type
Initiative		Origin
Citizens

A initiative requiring voter approval for land use amendments to the county's General Plan was on the ballot for voters in San Diego County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported requiring voter approval for amendments to the county's General Plan that increase population density for semi-rural or rural land classifications.
A "no" vote opposed requiring voter approval for amendments to the county's General Plan that increase population density for semi-rural or rural land classifications.


A related measure, San Diego County, Measure B, General Plan Amendments for Newland Sierra Project was on the ballot for San Diego County voters. Measure B would have amended the county's General Plan to authorize the development of the Newland Sierra Project, which would have included over 2,000 homes, a school, retail space, parks, and open space.

Election results

San Diego County Measure A

Result Votes Percentage
Yes 407,534 49.03%

Defeated No

423,630 50.97%
Results are officially certified.


Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:[1]

“

Shall this Initiative be adopted for the purpose of amending the San Diego County General Plan to require voter approval for General Plan amendments that increase residential density for property designated by the General Plan as Semi-Rural or Rural?[2]

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure A was prepared by the office of the San Diego County Counsel:[3]

“

This measure asks voters to amend the County of San Diego General Plan ('General Plan') by requiring voter approval for amendments to the General Plan that increase residential density in semi-rural and rural areas.

This measure would amend the General Plan to:

(a) Until January 1, 2039, require voter approval for any General Plan amendment, that is approved by the County of San Diego, which increases the residential density for any property that is designated Semi-Rural 0.5, Semi-Rural 1, Semi-Rural 2, Semi-Rural 4, Semi-Rural 10, Rural Lands 20, Rural Lands 40, or Rural Lands 80 as of the effective date of the Initiative

(b) Exempt a project from the voter approval requirement if: (i) the amendment increases the maximum number of allowed dwelling units by five or fewer dwelling units; (ii) the property is entirely within the boundary of a village or rural village as established in a Community Plan or Subregional Plan as of the effective date of the Initiative; or (iii) the amendment is necessary to comply with state or federal law governing the provision of housing, provided the Board of Supervisors makes findings that: (A) state or federal law requires the County to accommodate the housing; (B) the amendment permits no greater density than necessary to accommodate the required housing; (C) an alternative site that is not subject to the voter approval requirement is not available to satisfy the state or federal housing law:

(c) Until January 1, 2039, prohibit the designation of new Specific Plan Areas; and

(d) Permanently prohibit density transfers from higher density parcels to lower density parcels.

The text of this measure comes from the Safeguard our San Diego Countryside Initiative petition, which was signed by at least 10% of voters and therefore required the Board of Supervisors to either adopt the General Plan amendments proposed by the Initiative or place them before countywide voters. The Board of Supervisors placed the changes on the ballot as this measure.

This measure will become effective only if approved by a majority of voters voting on the measure.

A 'yes' vote on this measure means that until 2039, General Plan amendments increasing residential density in semi-rural and rural areas require voter approval in addition to applicable County approval processes, and designation of new Specific Plan Areas would be prohibited. It would also permanently prohibit density transfers from higher density parcels to lower density parcels, including within a project site. Text adopted by this measure may only be amended or repealed by voter approval.

A 'no' vote on this measure means that if the Board of Supervisors approves a General Plan amendment, it would not also require voter approval. It also means that the General Plan may contain new land use designations for Specific Plan Areas, and that density transfers continue to be allowed.[2]

”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Support

Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside led the Yes on A campaign in support of Measure A.[4]

Supporters

Arguments

  • Pam Slater-Price, former San Diego County Board of Supervisor, councilmember, and mayor, said, "As a 20-year member of the Board of Supervisors, I was intimately involved in the creation of our award-winning general plan which was designed to save taxpayer money, limit housing in very high fire severity zones and to protect some habitat while encouraging smart planning and land use principles. To see that plan repeatedly being undermined by sprawl developers and speculators who do not have the public’s best interests at heart, is very concerning for the future of our region. This is why I support SOS. It encourages smarter development decisions without allowing special interests to change the plan that the public and other stakeholders spent over a decade and $18 million developing."[5]
  • JP Theberge, executive director of Grow the San Diego Way, said, "Measure A protects the existing general plan from being disassembled piecemeal by sprawl developers by adding a voter requirement any time a general plan amendment special exception is asked for in the high fire-risk rural or semi-rural zoned areas of the unincorporated county."[6]

Opposition

Planning Today for San Diego's Future led the No on A campaign in opposition to Measure A.[7]

Opponents

Arguments

  • Jerry Sanders, CEO of San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, "Adding more barriers in San Diego County during a housing crisis that already puts scores of homes and apartments out of reach for most employees is a bad idea. ... As a region, we must do more to improve the economic opportunity for all San Diegans."[9]
  • Haney Hong, President and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, said, "The SOS Initiative is ballot-box land use planning. It would create an enormous new regulatory hurdle just to add homes that we all agree our region desperately needs. We have processes in place today that require public input to build in unincorporated areas and we need to trust the process. We should not be advocating for taking away local control from taxpayers who reside in the County’s unincorporated areas."[10]

Background

San Diego County General Plan

San Diego County General Plan was adopted by the board of supervisors on August 3, 2011. It outlines the land use and development of the county's unincorporated land. California law requires each city and county to have a general plan. Since its adoption, 18 amendments have been passed by the board. Under the proposed measure, amendments would be put on the ballot for a county vote.[11]

Newland Sierra Project

See also: San Diego County Measure B (March 2020)

The Newland Sierra Project proposed developing approximately 2,135 homes, 81,000 square feet of commercial space, a school site, and park space. On September 26, 2018, the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to amend the general plan to allow for the development. On December 11, 2018, the board voted to send the project to the March 2020 ballot.[12]

Measure A and Measure B had separate support campaigns.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside gathered over 107,000 signatures to place the initiative on the ballot. The signatures were submitted to the clerk, and the San Diego Board of Supervisors voted to put the measure on the ballot on August 28, 2018.[13]

See also

External links

Support

Opposition

Footnotes

  1. ↑ San Diego Vote, "Local Measures for March 3, 2020," accessed December 27, 2019
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. ↑ San Diego County, "Impartial Analysis of Measures A and B," accessed January 23, 2020
  4. ↑ Save our Countryside, "Home," accessed January 5, 2020
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Save Our Countryside, "Our Endorsers," accessed January 5, 2019
  6. ↑ Times of San Diego, "Measure A Would Stop Politicians from Turning San Diego into Los Angeles," December 14, 2019
  7. ↑ No on A, "Home," accessed January 5, 2020
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 No on SOS, "Endorsements," accessed January 5, 2019
  9. ↑ No on SOS, "Business, Labor Urge 'No' on 2020 Ballot Measure Limiting Housing in Rural Areas," October 30, 2019
  10. ↑ No on SOS, "Taxpayers Association Joins Chamber of Commerce, Business Leaders in No on SOS Coalition," October 30, 2019
  11. ↑ San Diego County, "San Diego County General Plan," accessed January 5, 2020
  12. ↑ KPBS, "Board Of Supervisors’ Vote Puts North County Development On 2020 Ballot," December 11, 2018
  13. ↑ San Diego Tribune, "Opponents vow to defeat March ballot measure regulating housing," October 29, 2019
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