DATE:
January 7, 2020
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Consideration of Ballot Measure- Land Use
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council provide direction to staff regarding placing a ballot measure on an upcoming election regarding land use requirements in the City including minimum parcel sizes and maximum building densities.
BACKGROUND
At the November 5, 2019 City Council Meeting, Mayor Bird directed staff to return with a staff report regarding the possibility of adding a measure concerning land use to an upcoming election. The next regularly scheduled election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
A governing body may submit a measure to be placed on the ballot to enact an ordinance directly to the voters by a majority vote of the City Council. If a public agency places a land use focused measure on the ballot it must conduct environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The measure may then be voted on at any succeeding regular or special election. The next regularly scheduled election is November 3, 2020. If the required majority of voters approve it at the election, the ordinance becomes effective.
Placing a Measure on the Ballot
Should the City Council decide to move forward with a ballot measure, the following issues must be considered:
A CEQA analysis must be conducted;
Election date (if November 2020, The City Council must vote to place on ballot at future meeting by August 7, 2020) and; Whether to allow supporting and opposing arguments to be printed in the ballot materials, and method for selection.
The flow chart below depicts the general process of adding a City sponsored land use measure to the November 3, 2020 ballot. Should direction be given to staff to move forward with placing a land use measure on the November 2020 ballot, the following must occur:
Placing a Measure on the November 3, 2020 BallotPlacing a Measure on the November 3, 2020 Ballot Placing a Measure on the November 3, 2020 Ballot
Placing a Measure on the November 3, 2020 Ballot
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of placing a measure on the ballot is undetermined at this time. However, the cost will be significantly less if placed on the ballot on a regularly scheduled election such as November 2020, versus a special election at another time. Should the City Council direct staff to draft a measure to add to the ballot, a formal estimate of associated costs will be requested for the San Bernardino County Registrars Office to prepare.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
None
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and City Council
Consideration of Land Use Measure
January 7, 2020