Jul 8, 2008

Council delays Open Space vote

By Shaun Bishop / Daily News Staff Writer

Frustrated Redwood City council members delayed a decision Monday on whether to put the controversial Open Space Vote initiative on the fall ballot as division emerged for the first time among its backers.

Emotions have run high over the measure, which would require a two-thirds vote of residents for development on lands considered "open space," but perhaps have never been higher than at Monday's council meeting.

The council certified 6,527 signatures in favor of the proposed city charter amendment, but did not place it on the ballot despite urging from a member of Oakland-based Save the Bay, one of the environmental groups backing the measure.

Instead, the council called for all involved parties to give their input on a counter initiative that would nullify Open Space Vote and focus on the proponents' main target - a piece of land owned by Cargill Inc., east of Highway 101.

They also rejected the suggestion by Save the Bay's Steven Knight that not placing the measure on the ballot Monday "creates the appearance of obstruction of democracy."

"I can tell you I'm really losing patience here," said Council Member Jeff Ira.

"Those comments are exactly the kind of thing that has served to mislead, to frustrate, to cause people to focus on passions that have nothing to do with the issues at hand," added Council Member Jim Hartnett.

Opponents have said they are concerned about the "unintended consequences" of the initiative, which defines open space by the city's zoning and its general plan and would also force a vote on dozens of smaller private properties, including a handful of residents' homes.

Knight insisted again that those are intentional effects, that the initiative was designed to protect all designations of open space. "The public understands this measure, which is clear and direct," Knight said.

But for the first time, a longtime resident and one of the primary Open Space Vote proponents said he was open to writing a new initiative to focus on the Cargill land.

"My understanding is the initiative was written the way it is because it's not legal to cite one particular property," said Ralph Nobles, founder of the Friends of Redwood City group. "If that's not true, it certainly changes the picture."

Even if they wanted to, the proponents cannot legally withdraw an initiative after signatures have been submitted. Council members said they likely would place Open Space Vote on the November ballot at either its July 28 or August 4 meeting.

At the same time, the council will consider its own initiative that would give residents a chance to weigh in on developing the Cargill site, a 1,433-acre area that the company is eyeing for a combination of wetlands restoration and development.

The initiative that gets the most votes would take effect, said City Attorney Stan Yamamoto. All initiatives for the fall ballot must be certified by August 8.

As the discussion went on, no person was more emotional than Council Member Barbara Pierce, who fought back tears as she expressed her anger, saying proponents have refused to work with the city throughout the process.

"You can see when I get really pissed off I cry," she said. "Quite frankly, the initiative does nothing to ensure restoration. It may stop a lot of things."



E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.