Commentary: Growth initiative requires professional review

The Costa Mesa City Council has a watershed decision to make at its next meeting: Should it adopt the measure circulated by City Council candidate Jay Humphrey? Set it for election? Or call for a study of its impacts on the city?

The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce requests the City Council thoroughly study the measure’s impacts by taking 30 days to evaluate its potential effects on the city’s ability to attract and retain business and employment, its potential impacts on traffic, parks, open space, city finances, public safety and city services, as well as other matters that could affect the health and welfare of our community.

State law encourages this review so that the public has a full set of facts available to it when considering whether to vote in favor of or against a particular measure, such as the one proposed by Mr. Humphrey. Only after a professional analysis is complete should the city determine its course of action.

The Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce has a long history working with residents and businesses to make our city the thriving community we cherish.

We place great faith in our elected leaders to thoughtfully evaluate any pending ballot measure. Oftentimes, sound bite-driven public policy is detrimental to our future. We trust that a professional evaluation of Mr. Humphrey’s initiative will provide a factual basis for the City Council to make good, informed decisions.

Attorney JENNIFER FARRELL is a Costa Mesa resident, graduate of Chapman Law School and partner at the Costa Mesa law firm of Rutan & Tucker.