Measure I was passed by Santa Paula voters in November 2000, banning development in Adams Canyon and in an area west of the city slated for commercial-industrial. Both those supporting and opposing Adams Canyon development carried on a lively campaign including heavy newspaper advertising and direct mailers sent to voters. Money poured into the coffers of opponents from realtors and developers while donations for Measure I came from slow-growth activists.SOAR established a city urban restriction boundary (CURB) that cannot be developed without voter approval.The latest proposed Adams Canyon development is “The wrong place at the wrong time,” said Mike Miller of Santa Paula, a leader of the Measure I effort. “Our community just went to the trenches on this thing and the citizens put into place what is responsible growth for Santa Paula. . .we’re just starting to revision for the community; we just started talking to each other and working together and it’s unfortunate this is happening.”Francisco Avila and Nancy Malvasio filed the notice of intent to circulate petitions and paid the $200 city fee on March 1, including the full text of the proposed initiative.The statement of reasons for seeking to change the CURB noted that one of the primary purposes of Measure I was to ensure public involvement in future development. Development of Adam’s Canyon, according to the statement, would cause economic “growth and vitality throughout our city by generating the expenditure of millions of dollars on goods and services annually. . .contribute to the infrastructure (schools, parks, libraries, transportation and utilities) to help all residents prosper through common improvements and by generating millions of dollars in revenue to the City of Santa Paula through impact fees. . .explore economic opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. . .Adams Canyon will make hundreds of jobs available for city residents. . .”The statement of reasons also notes that reasonable housing needs would be met through development of Adams Canyon, as Santa Paula residents “will not be forced to choose between higher housing costs within the CURB or moving out of the city to areas where reasonable housing exists in their economic segments.”
Adams Canyon development measure aims to be on Nov. ballot
March 15, 2002
Santa Paula News
Signature gatherers will soon be appearing to garner support to place a measure on the November ballot to develop Adams Canyon, less than two years after Santa Paula voters approved Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR).
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSignature gatherers will soon be appearing to garner support to place a measure on the November ballot to develop Adams Canyon, less than two years after Santa Paula voters approved Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR).Representatives of The Pinnacle Group of Scottsdale, Arizona have been meeting with community groups and organizations - ranging from soccer parents to the Chamber of Commerce - since October, and a million-dollar public relations campaign will be launched to garner voter support in November.First, 10 percent of Santa Paula registered voters, 1,073, must sign the petition to put a measure to develop the 5,413 acre Adams Canyon, where The Pinnacle Group would build 1,980 single-family homes, 180 condominiums, 90 apartments, two schools, a 152,460 square-foot neighborhood commercial shopping center, an unspecified number of hotels and golf courses as well as a 34-acre park.Kimberly Lucero, community director of Tom Tomlin Associates, a Los Angeles public relations firm, said petition gathering should start in late March under the direction of LA-based Progressive Campaigns; the Main Street office should open in mid-April where a local community coordinator will be hired.So far, said Lucero, several hundred local residents have taken part in discussions on Adams Canyon development. “A great thing about a small town is they refer,” others for meetings and networking. “. . .we’re trying to get as much input as possible,” on the proposed project.
