MEASURE Q
The Electorate Has Spoken
Thank you to our volunteers, donors and supporters for all your help over the last three years to enact the reasonable growth guidelines of Measure Q. Our message was simply overwhelmed by the massively funded litany of misinformation by the opposition. Stay tuned as we continue to put Laguna residents first and hold our elected officials to do the same.
CALL: 949 424.6608 | You can donate online or mail checks to:
LAGUNA RESIDENTS FIRST P.O. Box 285 Laguna Beach CA 92652
LAGUNA RESIDENTS FIRST
What’s At Stake
Vote YES for Measure Q. Help Save Laguna From Overdevelopment.
The Five Best Reasons To Vote Measure Q:
1. Measure Q gives residents a say in the size, shape, scope and character of their community – not just developers, commercial property owners, and politicians.
2. Measure Q helps maintain Laguna’s unique charm and architectural heritage for a more human-scale community with a better quality of life.
3. Measure Q establishes limits on intensification that would lead to more congestion and parking shortage.
4. Measure Q helps ensure property values by combating the problems of overdevelopment and over tourism.
5. Measure Q helps reduce City costs by providing developers with known building requirements – thus expediting project processing through City Hall while also motivating developers to their best proposals forward.
Myth vs. Fact: About Measure Q
The Ballot Initiative By and For Residents
Fact: Measure Q is simple: developments that exceed height, adversely impact traffic and parking, combine lots or have a negative cumulative effect go before the voters. It is simply one layer atop the existing underlying zoning.
Fact: If issues cannot be resolved prior to a general election, a developer may pay for a special election, however, this is unlikely: since Greenlight passed in Newport Beach 22 years ago, only one project went before voters. Having clearly defined boundaries results in better projects the community can get behind rather than the years long back and forth we have today.
Fact: A ballot initiative (Measure Q) is a stronger check against political favoritism and developer influence in local and regional governments. Its stronger protections encourage developers to bring the best projects to the table, knowing that the public has the final say-so if they do not.
Fact: If a project is truly beneficial, nothing precludes the public from voting for it just like the Montage. Laguna will always attract visitors, developers, businesses and those who want to live here. The ballot initiative (Measure Q) just ensures that the Laguna we love today will be here tomorrow and for generations to come.
Fact: When developers bring right-sized projects to Laguna, the review and approval process will be faster and staff hours will be lessened. The City won’t have to deal with overblown projects that get community pushback. Result: win-win projects. Similar ballot measures save taxpayers from having to spend on the unmitigated effects of overdevelopment.
Fact: In recent years, multiple projects have been proposed that would impact the quality of life for residents. Direct democracy will ensure that the will of the people is respected instead of overlooked or ignored and would enforcement of the city’s General Plan, Vision 2030 and other plans that have been carefully researched and enacted over the years with residents in mind.
Fact: Single family residential projects are exempt. Exclusively residential projects of nine or fewer units are exempt as are K-12 schools, hospitals, museums, houses or worship or replacement or repair of an existing building that has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake or other disasters up to the original size, placement and density.
Fact: Single family residential projects are exempt. Exclusively residential projects of nine or fewer units are exempt as are K-12 schools, hospitals, museums, houses or worship or replacement or repair of an existing building that has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake or other disasters up to the original size, placement and density.
Fact: Measure Q bows to the state re: affordable housing mandates. In other words, it does not apply. Furthermore, it does not apply to 100% affordable projects (low income very low income, extremely low income).
Fact: The city’s 36 ft. height limit has already been exceeded for elevators and minor issues. However, the recently approved Downtown Specific Plan has blended parking, increasing pressure on the remaining inventory. The number of buildings considered historic there went from 65 to 27 and in many areas, the current height limits of 12 and 24 ft. no longer apply. Plus, as is, the City Council can grant variances that totally ignore height limits and allow for buildings even taller than 36 ft. The ballot initiative is our last, best chance to keep our downtown from the fate of Dana Point: modern multistory buildings up to the maximum height limit of 36 ft., all packed into our commercial district.
Fact: Developers would follow the same process as they do now. They develop detailed plans and submit them to the city for approval. Upon approval, the large development plans are reviewed and commented on by the public before a building permit is issued. The developer makes the case for the project, and it is put it on the ballot at the next general election. Or, the developer pays for a special election. Either way, residents decide with a simple yes-no vote.
Fact: Commercial property and large residential developments impact neighbors. But the current regulations can be circumvented with a variance, partial or full modifications and 3 city council votes. Measure Q is a commonsense measure that puts the needs of residents on par with the plans of developers and commercial landlords. Passage of this initiative is the best way to protect views, property values and quality of life here
Fact: State governing bodies often overlook critical local components. Giving residents a say in our own hometown will protect our investment, especially as communities all around us get developed. Laguna will be even more special.
Fact: Developed over a two-year period, LRF founders and board members spent thousands of dollars of their own money in consultation with land use experts and attorneys to develop the initiative and get it onto the ballot. Because several cities in Orange County already passed similar initiatives over the last two decades, it is truly “the best of the best.” These residents have nothing to gain and they aren’t seeking to profit off of the town as some others might.
Fact: Measure Q was carefully vetted. It will not conflict with the State and meets compliance guidelines. It is legal. Giving residents the right to vote is enshrined in California’s Constitution.
Fact: Unfortunately, because the new measure is only an ordinance, its provisions can be waived by a vote of 3 council members. The ballot initiative is stronger because it also addresses issues such as cumulative effects, which the ordinance does not. The ballot initiative guarantees residents the right to vote on projects that will affect them long after council members retire.
Myth vs. Fact: About Measure Q — The Ballot Initiative By and For Residents – pdf
Please donate and volunteer today. We need your help to pass Measure Q November 8th.
YES on Q.
MEASURE Q INITIATIVE
Summary of Measure Q
Ballot Initiative Establishing an Overlay Zone District
Overview:
Measure Q uses provisions in the California state zoning laws to establish an overlay zoning district in Laguna’s most visible and most used areas of our city. This new zone would consist of the areas within 750 ft. of State Route 133 (Laguna Canyon) or State Route 1 (Coast Highway).
The provisions described below will be established by a simple majority of voters, and thus could only be amended by a simple majority of voters. Ballot Initiatives, such as this, are enabled by the California State constitution. It allows residents to reserve for their review any aspect of local legislative decisions, including establishing a limited zoning district. Voters in several other Southern California cities have already established similar provisions.
Measure Q promotes policies and programs that protect the unique value of Laguna Beach. It helps to preserve the local environment here including the heritage and charm of Laguna. As Laguna Beach evolves and changes with the times, major development projects should:
- Be unique, not part of large, monolithic developments.
- Be responsible, so that each project mitigates the impact it has on its neighbors, Laguna residents, and visitors. This includes areas such as traffic, parking, safety, scale, public safety, and aesthetic impacts.
- Be innovative in finding ways to honor the celebrated value of Laguna’s look and feel.
- Renew and Reuse. There is already an abundance of retail and hospitality space in Laguna. Renew and reuse the existing commercial buildings rather than tearing down and building new.
It is important to understand that the criteria specified below do not take the place of, or loosen any of the current zoning regulations in place in Laguna. All of that remains as it is today and can still be changed from time to time by City Council.
Measure Q gives Laguna Beach’s City Council better standards to help manage development and preserve Laguna’s quality of life and property values. Importantly, the initiative gives residents the right to vote on projects which exceed these standards. The idea is not to have lots of elections, but to moderate what developers ask for, and what the City Council gives away.
Measure Q will give developers a clear picture of the development opportunities here and take a more holistic approach to development proposals that will account for the unique setting that characterizes Laguna Beach.
Only major changes in the most visible and congested parts of town that exceed the following thresholds will need to be brought to a vote of the residents:
- Worsens traffic by causing 200 or more additional daily trips.
- On-site parking that essentially does not meet the on-site parking requirements that have been in place for the last decade. Parking exemptions that are in place now continue to be in effect. Note that In-lieu fees (that are then used to build public parking) may also be used to meet this requirement.
- A project that is over 22,000 sq. ft. of floor space.
- Combines two or more lots to exceed 7,500 sq. ft. of lot area (6000 sq. ft. in downtown where lots are smaller). Combining a lot smaller than 1,200 is exempted. (Many lots in downtown Laguna are around 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft. This is designed to allow many combinations of two to three average-size lots, but not entire-block lot combinations.)
- Increasing height over what is permitted today, including the overall height limit in Laguna Beach of 36’, and the other height restrictions that have been in effect here for years.
- Creates a cumulative effect if, within the past eight years and within a half-mile radius, there are already several other new, large redevelopment projects. This reqires the city to carefully manage how many major changes are made to the city at any given time.
Exemptions: Any project that meets any of the criteria below is completely exempt from all aspects of the initiative.
(1) Single-family residential projects are exempt.
(2) Exclusively residential projects of nine or fewer units are exempt.
(3) Projects consisting exclusively of residential units affordable to Low Income, Very Low Income, or Extremely Low-Income households are exempt.
(4) Projects consisting solely of the development of a public or private K-12 school, hospital, museum, or house of worship are exempt.
(5) The repair or replacement of an existing building that has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake, or other disasters, up to the original size, placement, and density is exempt.
(6) Minor modifications to existing buildings are exempt.
(7) Remodeling or Restorating buildings that retain their size, height, and general category of usage are exempt.
Developments over these limits is of interest to the residents who will be living with it. The process is as simple as possible, given that voter input is necessary:
- The developer follows the same process that they do now. They develop detailed plans and submit them to the city for approval.
- If approved, then before a building permit is issued for a large development project, the plans can be reviewed and commented on by the public.
- The developer makes a public case for the project and puts it on the next general election ballot. It is decided by a simple yes-no vote. The voters have the opportunity to welcome really worthwhile projects and reject those that are not in alignment with their overall view on the city’s direction for the future.
This is the same process that some of the most sought-after places in California have adopted. Vote Yes on Measure Q to add that same check-and-balance to Laguna Beach? This is a unique town in a unique location. As Laguna evolves we all need to ensure that it will do so in a way that preserves its unique distinction and value for residents, merchants, and visitors alike.
Full terms, definitions, criteria, and exemptions are explained definitively in the actual Ballot Initiative document.
View answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.
ABOUT LRF
Laguna Residents First (LRF) is a non-profit, grassroots organization promoting policies and programs that protect the unique value of Laguna Beach. We are for preserving the local environment here including the heritage and charm of Laguna.
As the city evolves and changes with the times, we believe that commercial development should:
- Be unique, not part of large, monolithic developments.
- Be responsible, so that each project fully mitigates the impact it has on its neighbors, Laguna residents, and visitors. This includes areas such as traffic, parking, scale, and aesthetic impacts.
- Be flexible, so that individual business owners make their own decisions on how to use their space to meet the market’s needs.
- Be innovative in finding ways to preserve the well-known value of Laguna’s look and feel.
Merrill Anderson, Ph. D.
Merrill is a retired leadership and organization development executive and leadership coach whose family has lived in Laguna since the mid-eighties. Merrill and his bride moved into his family home in 2017. Soon after moving here Merrill became active in the community with Village Laguna and he facilitated a series of Laguna Community Summit meetings that led to the creation of Laguna Residents First. Merrill graduated from Colorado (B.A.), Toronto (M.A.) and NYU (Ph.D.) with degrees in psychology. He enjoys walking the beach, hiking, visiting his winery in Temecula and is active with his church.
Gene Felder – Treasurer
Gene Felder was raised in La Mirada, graduated from Cal State Fullerton in Business, and received a MBA from UCLA. He retired in 2017 after spending his entire career in manufacturing. Gene and Johanna have lived in Laguna Beach since1986 and Gene has donated significant time engaged on issues of public policy. He has served on the boards and as an officer of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy, Save Laguna Art Museum, and Top of the World Neighborhood Association. Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett appointed Gene as an alternate member of the Coastal Greenbelt Authority which oversees the Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks. Gene served on the Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Historical Society from 2001 to 2014 serving as President from 2001 to 2006. He is co-author, with Foster J. Eubanks, of the 2013 book “Laguna Beach, Then & Now”.
David Raber – Co-Founder
David’s early interest in local government lead to an undergraduate program in city management which later morphed into a career in commercial software product development. Now retired, David was the former Sr. VP of On-Line Product Development for Ticketmaster and Chief Technology Officer of Paciolan.
David first moved to Laguna in 1999. He became active in community organizations including Temple Hills Community Association and the Laguna Beach Beautification Council and has served on the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance Task Force. He has personally gone through both Design Review and Planning Commission processes, and has lived to tell about it. Having four grandchildren in Laguna Beach Schools, he has a keen interest in how the next generation will view Laguna, and how it works for them now.
Mike Morris – Co-Founder Emeritus
Michael Morris is a retired computer software executive who has lived and owned a home in Laguna Beach since 2014. He and his husband moved here from Singapore where they resided for more than a decade. He remains civically active, having served a 2-year term as the appointed Laguna Beach trustee to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District; and serving a 1-year term on the Orange County Grand Jury (2015/16) which allowed him to indulge his interest in public policy and good governance. Mr. Morris graduated from UCI in 1982 (B.A.) and from Brown University in 1984 (Sc.M.). He enjoys tinkering with his Fulvia, home improvement and walking his 2 French Bulldogs around town.
Advisory Board
- Penelope Milne
- Susan Skinner
- John Thomas
George Weiss – Co-Founder Emeritus
A native of Chicago, George Weiss graduated from Loyola University at Chicago. George moved to California in 1981 to work for ATT. Arriving Laguna Beach in 2005 he served as the Chairperson of the Laguna Beach Film Society and in 2016 on the Housing and Human Services Committee as a Member and Chairperson. “Until recently I felt that participating in local government was a fool’s game. It seemed almost impossible to change how government works. I was wrong. Long-term persistent effort is the only way to make government responsive to residents and allow residents to have their voices heard. Laguna Residents First was launched to make those changes happen.”
FAQ’S
Myth vs. Fact: About Measure Q
The Ballot Initiative By and For Residents
Fact: Measure Q is simple: developments that exceed height, adversely impact traffic and parking, combine lots or have a negative cumulative effect go before the voters. It is simply one layer atop the existing underlying zoning.
Fact: If issues cannot be resolved prior to a general election, a developer may pay for a special election, however, this is unlikely: since Greenlight passed in Newport Beach 22 years ago, only one project went before voters. Having clearly defined boundaries results in better projects the community can get behind rather than the years long back and forth we have today.
Fact: A ballot initiative (Measure Q) is a stronger check against political favoritism and developer influence in local and regional governments. Its stronger protections encourage developers to bring the best projects to the table, knowing that the public has the final say-so if they do not.
Fact: If a project is truly beneficial, nothing precludes the public from voting for it just like the Montage. Laguna will always attract visitors, developers, businesses and those who want to live here. The ballot initiative (Measure Q) just ensures that the Laguna we love today will be here tomorrow and for generations to come.
Fact: When developers bring right-sized projects to Laguna, the review and approval process will be faster and staff hours will be lessened. The City won’t have to deal with overblown projects that get community pushback. Result: win-win projects. Similar ballot measures save taxpayers from having to spend on the unmitigated effects of overdevelopment.
Fact: In recent years, multiple projects have been proposed that would impact the quality of life for residents. Direct democracy will ensure that the will of the people is respected instead of overlooked or ignored and would enforcement of the city’s General Plan, Vision 2030 and other plans that have been carefully researched and enacted over the years with residents in mind.
Fact: Single family residential projects are exempt. Exclusively residential projects of nine or fewer units are exempt as are K-12 schools, hospitals, museums, houses or worship or replacement or repair of an existing building that has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake or other disasters up to the original size, placement and density.
Fact: Single family residential projects are exempt. Exclusively residential projects of nine or fewer units are exempt as are K-12 schools, hospitals, museums, houses or worship or replacement or repair of an existing building that has been damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake or other disasters up to the original size, placement and density.
Fact: Measure Q bows to the state re: affordable housing mandates. In other words, it does not apply. Furthermore, it does not apply to 100% affordable projects (low income very low income, extremely low income).
Fact: The city’s 36 ft. height limit has already been exceeded for elevators and minor issues. However, the recently approved Downtown Specific Plan has blended parking, increasing pressure on the remaining inventory. The number of buildings considered historic there went from 65 to 27 and in many areas, the current height limits of 12 and 24 ft. no longer apply. Plus, as is, the City Council can grant variances that totally ignore height limits and allow for buildings even taller than 36 ft. The ballot initiative is our last, best chance to keep our downtown from the fate of Dana Point: modern multistory buildings up to the maximum height limit of 36 ft., all packed into our commercial district.
Fact: Developers would follow the same process as they do now. They develop detailed plans and submit them to the city for approval. Upon approval, the large development plans are reviewed and commented on by the public before a building permit is issued. The developer makes the case for the project, and it is put it on the ballot at the next general election. Or, the developer pays for a special election. Either way, residents decide with a simple yes-no vote.
Fact: Commercial property and large residential developments impact neighbors. But the current regulations can be circumvented with a variance, partial or full modifications and 3 city council votes. Measure Q is a commonsense measure that puts the needs of residents on par with the plans of developers and commercial landlords. Passage of this initiative is the best way to protect views, property values and quality of life here
Fact: State governing bodies often overlook critical local components. Giving residents a say in our own hometown will protect our investment, especially as communities all around us get developed. Laguna will be even more special.
Fact: Developed over a two-year period, LRF founders and board members spent thousands of dollars of their own money in consultation with land use experts and attorneys to develop the initiative and get it onto the ballot. Because several cities in Orange County already passed similar initiatives over the last two decades, it is truly “the best of the best.” These residents have nothing to gain and they aren’t seeking to profit off of the town as some others might.
Fact: Measure Q was carefully vetted. It will not conflict with the State and meets compliance guidelines. It is legal. Giving residents the right to vote is enshrined in California’s Constitution.
Fact: Unfortunately, because the new measure is only an ordinance, its provisions can be waived by a vote of 3 council members. The ballot initiative is stronger because it also addresses issues such as cumulative effects, which the ordinance does not. The ballot initiative guarantees residents the right to vote on projects that will affect them long after council members retire.
Myth vs. Fact: About Measure Q — The Ballot Initiative By and For Residents Frequently Asked Questions – pdf
Please donate and volunteer today.
We need your help to pass Measure Q November 8th.
YES on Q.
HOW TO HELP
Did You Know?
Over 95 Laguna residents participated in gathering signatures and behind-the-scenes support to get Measure Q on the November ballot. You can join the team by volunteering.
Click a link below, send the note, and let us know of your interest:
Yard Sign Team: Deliver Measure Q Yard Signs
Phone Bank Team: Closer to the election we would like to contact voters
Information Table Team: Staff the information tables downtown and other prominent locations.
Social Media Team: Respond to questions, write blogs on social media.
Volunteer / Other: That special magic you have that we don’t even know about yet. We are all ears.
Donate
You can donate online or mail checks to:
LAGUNA RESIDENTS FIRST
P.O. Box 285 Laguna Beach CA 92652
Your contribution will help to insure that the LRF ballot initiative is voted into law this November. Then we will all get a voice in any proposed large-scale development projects. That will bring better, clearer, and more compatible proposals to the table.
Ways to Help
Express your support publicly: Add your name to the growing list of people who publicly endorse Measure Q.
Proudly display a yard sign: We will deliver and install a yard sign for you.
Host a neighborhood event: Let us know that you would like to gather some friends at you place so we can all sit together for a while and talk about the Measure Q.
Write a letter to the editor. Express support through a letter to the local newspapers.
- Indy – editor@lbindy.com
- Stu News – Editor@stunews
Follow Laguna Residents First on Facebook and invite your friends to do likewise
Make a Donation toward the cost of getting the word out.
Contact
Call: 949 424.6608
Email: LagunaResidentsFirst@gmail.com
We Need Your Active Support
Measure Q promotes policies and programs that protect the unique value of Laguna Beach. It helps to preserve the local environment here including the heritage and charm of Laguna.
RESOURCES
Explore the library of resources relating to changing Laguna:
Recent Letters and Columns
Explore the library of resources
relating to changing Laguna:
- The official, impartial analysis of Costa Mesa’s Proposition Y that clearly put voters in control of major development.
- One of the Liberate Laguna developers tried to stop enforcement of Cosa Mesa’s limitations – and failed.
- The “Ballotpedia” coverage of the pro and con arguments for major development restrictions.
- Read Costa Mesa’s full ballot measure to put residents in control of major development.
- Summary of Dana Point’s ballot initiative for responsible development
- Malibu’s Measure R – Voters now play a major role in Malibu Development
- Plans for “Museum Hotel” (The entire block north of the Art Museum)
- Plans for The Cleo ( the block north of Ralphs – height and density exceptions)
- Local residents are against caving in on building restrictions necessary to build The Cleo
- Trouble in Irvine – Mohammad is halted from converting a golf course to a high-density apartment complex.
- How much money does Mohammad have, and where did it come from?
Shopoff Realty/Enterprises ($33,000 to Liberate Laguna)
As stated in an OC Register article May 22, 2020, “Shopoff Realty Investments creates investor funds to finance commercial and residential real estate ventures across the country. In addition to investing in mixed-use projects, hotels, shopping centers an apartment buildings, the Shopoffs’ specialty is finding property with untapped value, obtaining development rights and new zoning, then reselling it for a substantial profit.”
- Approval of the huge Shopoff Realty Investments condo project in Newport Beach will be delayed because many of the Planning Commission members have to recuse themselves for Conflict of Interest.
- Shopoff Realty Investments spent $800,000 on land zoned for residential, then changed that into a million square foot high-volume warehouse.
- Shopoff gets a black eye on Yelp from resident-neighbors upset at the disregard for development completely incompatible for the existing residential community.
- Read the City’s intensive study of the cost and return for building more parking garages. It finds they can not pay for themselves. Guess who ends up paying the difference..the residents, of course.
- Most everyone supports the City being flexible, so that individual business owners can make their own decisions on how to use their space to meet the market’s needs. Our concern is only when a new use creates more congestion, such as turning a shop into a bar. Those increases in congestion and parking demand have to be paid by someone. The City’s outside consultant ignores the social cost that some businesses bring. Read the outside consultant’s report on his view of the future of downtown.
- What is a Development Agreement? Read the Development Agreement Manual from the League of California Cities
- The official, impartial analysis of Costa Mesa’s Proposition Y that clearly put voters in control of major development.
- One of the Liberate Laguna developers tried to stop enforcement of Cosa Mesa’s limitations – and failed.
- The “Ballotpedia” coverage of the pro and con arguments for major development restrictions.
- Read Costa Mesa’s full ballot measure to put residents in control of major development.
- Summary of Dana Point’s ballot initiative for responsible development
- Malibu’s Measure R – Voters now play a major role in Malibu Development
- Plans for “Museum Hotel” (The entire block north of the Art Museum)
- Plans for The Cleo ( the block north of Ralphs – height and density exceptions)
- Local residents are against caving in on building restrictions necessary to build The Cleo
- Trouble in Irvine – Mohammad is halted from converting a golf course to a high-density apartment complex.
- How much money does Mohammad have, and where did it come from?
- Approval of the huge Shopoff Realty Investments condo project in Newport Beach will be delayed because many of the Planning Commission members have to recuse themselves for Conflict of Interest.
- Shopoff Realty Investments spent $800,000 on land zoned for residential, then changed that into a million square foot high-volume warehouse.
- Shopoff gets a black eye on Yelp from resident-neighbors upset at the disregard for development completely incompatible for the existing residential community.
Forest Today — Tree Removal
Coming Soon | Before / After
Coming Soon | Before / After
Using YOUR tax dollars to get rid of shade and a lush tree-lined street canopy. Like this look? Like how your taxes are being used? There are many good ideas in the Downtown Action Plan – But simultaneously replacing all of our downtown trees is not one of them!
Help us stop the City Staff’s needless destruction of our Downtown Trees by doing the following:
- Email the Planning Commissioners:
- Email to CityCouncil@lagunabeachcity.net
- Attend the Planning Commission Meeting on March 4th, at 6PM, at which the “Downtown Action Plan” will be reviewed.
- Downtown trees will be removed including most of the trees on Broadway between Coast Highway and Beach St.
- Write to the City Council and express tell them not to remove any trees until an independent Arborist examines every tree.
- Tell them not to remove trees unless the City arborist declares it an extreme danger.