Commentary: Initiative would make city planning more transparent

The citizens’ Initiative to give the people of Costa Mesa control of their future has been placed on the November ballot.

Why is the “smart-growth initiative” good for Costa Mesans?

One of many reasons why it is beneficial is that it brings transparency to the planning process. Requiring voter approval for certain projects will allow residents to understand those projects better because the city and developers will be required to use plain language. This will enable the residents to easily gain the knowledge they need to participate in the voting process.

It is hard to visualize what the impacts of a project are before it is built. We are just now seeing the effects of projects approved several years ago, and some of those impacts are shocking, such as three-story boxy buildings looming over one-story homes. Many residents, including myself, feel that if we had received clear information during the planning process, we would have requested steps be taken to lessen the impacts of those developments.

The initiative increases transparency in the legislative process by requiring that proposed major changes in allowable land use be described in a manner that clearly discloses the scope and main features of the project. The description must clearly compare the proposed project to what currently exists on the property. This comparison includes the impacts on the surrounding neighborhood with respect to the density or intensity of the project, safety, traffic and environmental conditions.

The initiative will make government more responsive to the people. It will require that the city make the information on its website more accessible, which isn’t the case right now. Other cities have websites that are much more user-friendly and accessible. The city and developer can provide additional materials, such as videos and illustrations, for a comprehensive vetting of a project.

Mayor Steve Mensinger, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer and Councilman Gary Monahan have directed city staff to write a competing initiative. Will it require the same transparency and plain language the citizen’s initiative requires?

The mayor pro tem complained about the technical language in the citizens’ initiative, and yet this is the same language that is routinely presented by city staff to the City Council and Planning Commission. The technical jargon may be necessary, but often it obscures the significant impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. This is precisely the reason why the citizens’ initiative requires transparency and clear disclosure for voter approval.

In November, the voters will be presented with the opportunity to control their future and fulfill the vision they have of our city. Costa Mesa First has been a supporter of this initiative because its members share a vision that residents will have a say in the future of their neighborhoods, and not have that future imposed on them by a City Council aligned with development interests.

It is a vision in which our quality of life will not be degraded by development, instead ensuring that development is done in a responsible and conscientious manner. It is a vision that started with discussions around a dining table, and resulted in a vision we want to hand down to future generations.

For more information, you can contact Costa Mesa First at costamesa1st@gmail.com or through our website, costamesa1st.com.

CYNTHIA MCDONALD is assistant treasurer of Costa Mesa First.