lagunabeachindy . com OCTOBER 21 , 2022 27
About Measure Q
In 2018 and 2020 , developer-backed PACs spent over $ 250,000.00 in our small-town city council elections to elect their candidates . The result : a different city council and a revised Downtown Specific Plan . The new DSP has gutted parking , reduced the number of historic buildings from 65 to 27 and now makes it possible for two — even three — stories in some areas downtown . Landlords can now maximize their investment by scraping and going up . Developers have big plans for little Laguna .
What ’ s standing in their way ?
Measure Q , the resident-backed ballot initiative that gives Lagunans the right to vote on significant projects . Special interest PACs have poured money into this election , amassing nearly $ 172,000.00 * to defeat Measure Q along with your city council . They don ’ t want residents to have the final say on projects that will affect all of us and they ’ re using inaccurate claims to influence the outcome on Nov . 8th .
OPPONENTS CLAIM : “ We do not need an acceleration in vacancies .”
– Sue Kempf
FACT : We agree but making it easier to create even more retail space downtown is an odd solution to address vacancies .
Prevent Laguna from becoming just another overcrowded coastal town .
Stronger protections for property values
We all pay a premium to live here but currently , just 3 council votes can dramatically change what you see
If passed , projects within 750 ft . of Coast Hwy or Laguna Canyon Road will require voter approval if they :
• Exceed 22,000 sq . ft . of total floor area or
• Worsen traffic by 200 additional Average Daily Trips or
• Worsens parking or exceeds height limits that have been in place here for decades
• Lot combinations that exceed 5,000 sq . ft . downtown and elsewhere up to 7,500 sq . ft .
Also , it requires the City to carefully consider the cumulative effects of congestion from multiple nearby projects .
These requirements DO NOT apply to :
• Single family homes and small apartment buildings
• Public or private K-12 school , hospital , museum or house of worship
• Remodel , repair or reconstruction of any existing building with same size , height , and type
today . A ballot measure has stronger protections so the City ’ s guidelines are followed , not ignored . Although few projects will ever go to a vote , Measure Q acts as a check against project overreach if they do .
OPPONENTS CLAIM : The fire station in South Laguna would not get built or it would go to a vote .
FACT : Measure Q supports fire stations . Nothing prevents Lagunasized fire stations or apartments buildings from being built .
Stops giveaways at taxpayers ’ expense
Most of the projects mentioned by Measure Q opponents as requiring a vote ( shops selling sandwiches , ice cream and coffee ) would not have done so , according to a legal examination of Measure Q . What Measure Q does is moderate what developers ask for and what the council gives away .
OPPONENTS CLAIM : Ordinance 1675 will control growth .
FACT : The City ’ s response to Measure Q ( Ordinance 1675 ) allows unlimited car trips , permits buildings of unlimited size , and doesn ’ t address the very real problem of congestion from multiple nearby projects . Crucially , it leaves big decisions in the hands of 3 city council members .
Have a say in Laguna ’ s future
Measure Q was developed over a two-year period with input from 220 + residents as well as land use experts . It is residents only insurance policy against overdevelopment . Today , one developer owns 19 properties — including hotels — in neighborhoods . These projects will increase traffic , congestion , and parking problems .
OPPONENTS CLAIM : Elections would cost $ 130K- $ 150K .
FACT : As part of a regularly scheduled election , the cost is about $ 9,000 .
Don ’ t give away your right to vote to special interests . Ensure the town you love won ’ t be ruined by greed . Join thousands of residents , 2 current city council members and dozens of former city officials who support Measure Q .
“ Join me in voting YES on Measure Q . It gives you the right to vote on projects that exceed set standards , protecting our neighborhoods , quality of life and property values .”
– Neil Fitzpatrick , Former Mayor and City Council Member
To host a lawn sign , volunteer , endorse , or donate , please visit : www . LagunaResidentsFirst . org
LRF endorses Jerome Pudwill and Ruben Flores for City Council
By and For Residents
* Based on publicly available documents at : https :// www . lagunabeachcity . net / government / departments / city-clerk / fair-political-practices-reporting / campaign-statements / -folder-454
Ad paid for by Laguna Residents First – State of California PAC No . 1421491 . Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate .