Next year’s ballot getting crowded

In November 2006, voters may decide on general plan update and two initiatives to curb council power.As politicos around the state focus their attention on the Nov. 8 statewide special election, some Newport Beach city officials and residents are gearing up for the November 2006 ballot, which could include three critical local issues.

The City Council is aiming to place the city’s general plan update on the ballot next fall. The general plan is the blueprint for development in the city through 2025.

Two citizens’ groups also are collecting signatures to get initiatives to voters in 2006. Newporters for Responsible Government in August launched an initiative that, if approved, would submit to a public vote any city project that requires the city to borrow more than $3 million or takes more than two years to pay back.

The Greenlight group, which wrote a successful 2000 ballot measure that lets residents vote on developments of a certain size or impact, came forward about three weeks ago with an issue that would lower the threshold that requires a public vote on proposed development.

Proponents of the city spending initiative must gather about 6,000 signatures from city voters to place the issue on the ballot. The development initiative, dubbed Greenlight II, is not yet in the signature-gathering phase, but Greenlight spokesman Phil Arst said about 6,200 signatures will be needed.

The citizen-sponsored initiatives would essentially take power away from the City Council, and that has riled some in the community. At recent council meetings, several residents have said they think the initiatives are a waste of voters’ time propagated by a disgruntled few.

But others believe the initiative drives indicate dissatisfaction with the way the council is governing.

“What that says is that our City Council is totally out of touch with our residents,” said Tom Billings, who founded a citizens’ group that in 2004 won the ballot battle over a resort development planned for city property.

“The only way we can make change in this city and uphold what the residents want is by initiative.”

How to find out what residents want is apparently up for questioning. Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who will run to hold onto her seat in November 2006, pointed out that the general plan update was created by a committee of residents who held hundreds of meetings. The ballot issue calls that planning process into question by putting any major development project to a citywide vote, she said.

“[The general plan update] really reflects what we believe is the desires of our citizens,” Daigle said. “What Greenlight II is saying is that the work of these citizens will be meaningless.”

If three city ballot issues next fall aren’t enough, add the fact that five of the city’s seven council seats will be on the ballot -- Councilman Tod Ridgeway is termed out; Councilmen Dick Nichols and Don Webb are up for reelection; and as appointees, Daigle and Councilman Ed Selich must make their first bids for election.

What it spells is a very important election for the city, and if voters approve the initiatives proffered by the citizens’ groups, even more voting.

Resident Bruce Colbert, who has lived in Newport Beach for about 20 years, said he thinks more ballot initiatives have come forward locally and statewide in recent years, but voters can be trusted to figure it all out.

He said he supports the city financing measure, but he’s not familiar with Greenlight II.

“If they’re really out in the periphery, they won’t get support,” he said. “I think the citizens are smart enough to weigh the opinions and make an informed vote.”

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers government and politics. She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at alicia.robinson@latimes.com.