John Wisda of We Care said that the signature gathering process represented “our constitutional right, what our soldiers fought and died for.” The volunteer effort garnered signatures that were “over 80 percent - a huge percent - Latino...traffic jams know no color.”The last weekend of the effort saw 700 people sign the petitions, in the same week that two “negative ads” appeared in the Santa Paula Times, sponsored by supporters of the proposed development in Fagan Canyon, Wisda said. The council should now focus on “balancing the housing with the rest of Santa Paula.”Wisda noted that the time is “now for cool heads. We CARE will not respond to any of the letters (to the editor) last week. The fighting and name calling should stop now.”Wisda said he is concerned that the council will “try to push through” the Fagan Canyon development before the November election, and expressed hope that the council will adopt the ordinance. Wisda also said that Santa Paula is being targeted for “dirty business, dirty industry...I’m totally against an asphalt plant” and other enterprises that would bring truck traffic and air quality impacts.The Fagan Canyon Draft Environmental Impact Report will be the focus of a community meeting on June 21.
Signatures for land-use initiative qualify for ballot
June 10, 2005
Santa Paula News
The land-use initiative sparked by the proposed development in Fagan Canyon is on its way to the voters, that is if the City Council doesn’t adopt the measure.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe land-use initiative sparked by the proposed development in Fagan Canyon is on its way to the voters, that is if the City Council doesn’t adopt the measure. Leaders of We Care told the council at the June 6 meeting that out of the approximately 2,700 signatures gathered, more than 2,200 passed the muster of the county elections’ division.The move means that the “issue is now valid,” said Jack Phillips, and unless the council “takes affirmation action” the measure will appear on the November ballot.The measure does not specifically address Fagan Canyon, but instead would allow only 81 contiguous acres to be developed for residential and/or commercial use over a five-year period without voter approval. If more than 81 acres were targeted for development, voters would have to approve such projects. If successful, the initiative would be in effect for 20 years.The measure “now comes to you” with the council option of either preparing the initiative’s language or adopting same as a city ordinance, said Phillips. “We encourage you to do so,” and eliminate the “need to rush Fagan Canyon through perhaps in a haphazard fashion” to beat the election date.“Please don’t be a rubber stamp, the voters have decided and now is the time to act,” noted Phillips.
