SAN MARCOS: Council candidates united in opposition to Prop. O
Measure would require voter approval for certain development projects
By ANDREA MOSS - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN MARCOS ---- While residents debate the merits of a controversial slow-growth initiative, the three candidates in this year's City Council race are unified in their opposition to the measure.
The initiative, Proposition O, has dominated election talk this year.
If approved, the measure would require voter approval for any development project that needs a general plan amendment to proceed. Adopted in the 1970s, the general plan serves as a blueprint for development and growth in San Marcos.
Incumbent council members Rebecca Jones and Hal Martin will face off against challenger Dean Nelson in the race for two seats on Nov. 4.
Jones and Martin joined their fellow council members in denouncing Prop. O in June, saying the general plan is outdated and that the city needs some flexibility when it comes to development projects.
In recent interviews, the two reiterated previously stated reasons for opposing the measure.
"It'll make it harder for developers to develop here, so we'll have missed opportunities," said Martin, a 58-year-old photographer who is seeking his fourth council term. "And things will have to go to a vote. So that'll make things more costly for residents."
Jones, 41 and a furniture marketing company owner who was appointed to the council last year, said the passage of Prop. O would also would put residents in the "very precarious position" of having to wade through hundreds of pages of environmental reports and other documents that council members deal with now.
"Quite frankly, who has the time to do all of that reading," Jones said. "People would rather be spending their time with friends, watching their kids' soccer games or going out for dinner ---- anything except reading all those environmental impact reports."
As the sole challenger in this year's council race, Nelson might be expected to take an opposite tack on Prop. O. Manager of a local hardware store and a planning commissioner who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2006, Nelson, 46, said he was prepared to support the voters' decision on the proposition if he is elected to the council.
However, he described Prop. O as a misguided attempt to shape future development in San Marcos.
"I just don't believe in ballot-box planning," he said. "It doesn't work."
Prop. O supporters gathered signatures to qualify it for the ballot earlier this year. The move was a response to the council's approval last year of the controversial Palomar Station project.
The proposed development, which calls for a mix of condominiums, stores and offices to be added to an industrial area near Palomar College, required a general plan amendment.
Prop. O advocates say the measure is needed to ensure the council sticks to the general plan.
Opponents note the plan was created long before anyone thought of building things like Cal State University San Marcos. Last month, the council took the first step in updating the plan by authorizing the city's staff to seek proposals from consultants for help with that effort.
Nelson said he thought the debate over future growth and development could have been avoided if the council had done the update years ago.
More distressing, though, is the way the issue has divided the city, he said.
"I've been knocking on doors and that's one of the things that I'm hearing," Nelson said. "People are saying we have citizens campaigning against each other."
Information about Martin's and Jones' council campaigns can be found at www.martinandjonesforcitycouncil.com. Nelson has his own campaign Web site at nelsonforcouncil.com.
Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.
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3 Stooges wrote on Oct 4, 2008 9:09 PM:I don't see any difference in these 3 candidates. They all have been trained by the city to do what staff tells them to do and say. What a pity we don't have any real choices, real people. That's why we need Prop O. So the people have a real voice.
you seem real wrote on Oct 4, 2008 9:24 PM:tre stooges,
why don't you run, let us put the future developments in your hands, what do you bring to the table?
incumbants wrote on Oct 5, 2008 12:15 AM:If the "incumbents" at city council hadn't made such poor decisions, i.e., not updating the GP earlier & voting for a project that requires resident to sign HEALTH WAIVERS, then Prop O would be a non-issue. Push citizens so far...see what you get.
Speaks for herself wrote on Oct 5, 2008 7:21 AM:Rebecca Jones speaks for herself. Why is she running for city council? "Quite frankly, who has the time to do all of that reading," Jones said. "People would rather be spending their time with friends, watching their kids' soccer games or going out for dinner ---- anything except reading all those environmental impact reports."
This is what the city council WANTS people to be doing. as the council does as they please.
I voted against Wal Mart and I didn't have to read any lengthy EIR to make a decision. People know right from wrong. People know Wal Mart doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood. People know homes don't belong in an industrial zone. It's not hard, it's common sense.
Sounds more like its too hard for Rebecca Jones. Why don't you pull out of the race and go shopping? Give us a break. Citizens all over the state of California are doing very well voting on projects in their cities. Why do you think San Marcos residents can't do the same? We are not as dumb as you think we are! Give us credit, isn't this the "educational" center of North County. We are NOT stupid people! Stop insulting us!
ru kiddn me wrote on Oct 5, 2008 7:53 AM:"Quite frankly, who has the time to do all of that reading," Jones said. "People would rather be spending their time with friends, watching their kids' soccer games or going out for dinner ---- anything except reading all those environmental impact reports." WOW....and you are current council member!!!! This comment makes me feel that you are making good decisions for the City of San Marcos.
Pete wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:08 AM:Dean Nelson is not a stooge. Dean Nelson is a high character guy. Make no doubt about it. Rebecca Jones was appointed by two stooges. She doesn't really make the third stooge...but what exactly are her qualifications.
Don wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:50 AM:I am voting Yes on Prop. O.
The city's staff can still go through the studying and reporting on all proposed development projects that would require an Exemption to the regular Management Plan. Then we citizens can do our part by voting that exemption up or down, as is our right.
For certain proposed projects, a voter could vote no for no particular reason. That is his/her right as well.
That's a better way to handle growth than a rubber-stamp city council that approves exemptions too frequently for projects.
I hope the current voter backlash continues into election day and Prop O is approved.
sm wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:58 AM:Vote No on Prop 0
Mark wrote on Oct 5, 2008 12:01 PM:Don, I am voting no on O. Why? Because I have asked those few supporters of this proposition to name just a couple of the "bad" projects that this proposition might have prevented? They can name none (except Palomar Station, which is an excellent project). I ask, would we be better off without CSUSM? The Grand Plaza? San Elijo Hills? Would it be fair to require George's Burger to hold an election to see if the public would allow it to move across the street? (yes, that simple little move would require an election). Imagine how many good developments would simply not even inquire about San Marcos if they knew they had to jump through all the hoops to get city approval, only then to be told an election is needed. Ask Escondido how that's working out for them.
Vista Man wrote on Oct 5, 2008 1:42 PM:I am hoping that all of you in San Marcos vote YES on O!! That way MY city might have a chance at all the projects that won't happen in San Marcos. It's time you guys shared the wealth and let the quality projects go somewhere else! Thanks in advance.
frustrated in SM wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:11 PM:Rebecca Jones is nothing more than a San Marcos version of Sarah Palin. Totally unqualified.
My vote wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:14 PM:I am voting no on Prop O, because I do think it's a bad idea. But I AM voting for Dean Nelson, as it's a first step to getting at least one of the Desmond Four out of office.
Our FUTURE needs Prop O - Vote YES wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:37 PM:Our quality of life is in serious danger with the proposals on the table at City Hall. Can you imagine the traffic with 120,000 more cars added to San Marcos Blvd. daily for the "Creek Walk" project alone? With its 2,400 apartments planned?
Then think of adding the traffic from the 3,700 apartments and millions, yes millions of square feet of commercial planned for the Univerity project. Add another 200, 000 car trips daily to our San Marcos gridlock.
How about all that traffic proposed for the Fention project in between these two projects?
Add all the traffic proposed from the Palomar Station project.
Add Merriam Mountain proposal and you have over 100,000 more cars on Twin Oaks Valley Road.
The list goes on and on.
San Marcos citizens have a huge opportunity to support Prop O so they can determine just how much more traffic we are will to be stuck in every day! Citizens have property rights too, not just the developers around here! We are heavily invested with our lives and homes, we count too!
With the right to vote, we can send these projects back to city hall and tell them to follow the general plan for the area they are in. It won't stop development on these properties, but we can hold them to the density and intensity that is allowed currentlyl by law.
A Yes vote on Prop O, is a Yes vore for Citizens!
Back Room Deals at City Hall wrote on Oct 5, 2008 6:08 PM:Future is right, but there are many, many more projects lined up that we don't even know about yet. Those Back Room Deals going on at City Hall leak out eventually. Scarry stuff proposed for San Marcos. Los Angeles will look like a nice place to live compared to San Marcos when all those deals are done! We should all Vote YES on Prop O. Make those developers work with citizens. We attend workshops, but they don't listen. They just go through the motions because they have to. Then they do what they want anyway. When Prop O is in effect, they will actually listen to us because they want us to approve their projects at the ballot. This is a very effective tool, a huge opportunity for citizens to be heard. Vote YES before its too late! Don't let what has happened in LA and Orange County continue here! Please help the people!
vote no wrote on Oct 5, 2008 6:58 PM:Uh you do realize that whatever developments take place the first aspects always considered and analyzed are the highway, road, bridge infrastructures.
To add additional cars from future projects without giving any info regarding all the efforts that go to making traffic run smoothly is just plain dumb.
That is only if you wanted to seem credible.
vote no prop o
When... wrote on Oct 5, 2008 9:05 PM:members of the city governmnet directly east of us weigh-in against Prop "O", that sends up all sorts of red flags, let them try to straighten out their own problems before they try yo screw up San Marcos affairs...
Joness again.wow wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:40 AM:This is out of another newspaper:
Jones wants more places for exercise, gathering and shopping. That includes having the downtown plan come to life, she said, and building an area for university students and faculty to live, shop and dine. She said it also means finishing road improvements and implementing ways to cut traffic congestion
VOTE ON NOv 4th wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:35 AM:YES on Prop O
YES on Prop N
DEAN Nelson for City Council
Leave second choice blank
Bullet vote wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:40 PM:Don't vote for two councilmembers. Just vote for Dean Nelson. Voting for a 2nd person actually can work agains the first and best choice: Dean. Mike Preston and Chris Orlando's supporters used this technique to dilute Dean's chances in the last election and it worked. Let Rebecca Jones and Hal Martin fight it out for the second seat.
Dean Nelson is a smart, open-minded, objective candidate who has A LOT of experience and KNOWLEDGE, who listens to people and who actually takes citizens' opinions into consideration.
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