Letter: Vote Yes on H for the Town Center We All Envision

By Betty Hill, Capistrano Beach

The 2015 Town Center Initiative, Measure H, is endorsed by thousands of Dana Point residents. Measure I, put on the ballot by the City Council, is backed and being heavily funded by developers and outside special interests. Only Measure H supports the provisions of the 2008 Town Center Plan (Lantern District Plan) approved by the Community:

·     Measure H promotes the Town Center Plan’s goal to “improve Town Center as one of the city’s primary shopping districts with a small town village atmosphere.”

·     The 2008 plan states that parking is critical to Town Center success. Measure H contains the 2008 Town Center Plan’s requirement that projects provide “the minimum number of parking stalls by use, as detailed in the Dana Point Zoning Code.”

·    Ground floor retail is required with residences allowed only on upper floors, as stated in the 2008 Town Center Plan.

·     The 40-foot height and three story limits of the 2008 plan must be enforced.

·     Measure H requires voter approval for major changes with variances per the Dana Point code.

Measure I is a Lantern District Plan as amended on September 15, 2015. Measure I will cancel Measure H if Measure I receives more votes. Measure I and the Council’s approach for Town Center:

·     Measure I reduces the business element and promotes extra floors of high-density residential development.

·     It drastically reduces the parking requirements without reference to the Dana Point zoning code.

·     Commercial and restaurants only need two spaces per 1,000 square feet and one-bedroom units require one parking space.

·     Overflow parking from development will overwhelm public parking and impact our neighborhoods with no long-term solution planned.

·     Businesses will not be attracted to Town Center and existing businesses will suffer.

·     The plan can be changed with three votes of the City Council.

Residents deserve the 2008 Town Center Plan they were promised. Development is underway with multiple projects that adhere to the 2008 Plan, including one recently approved at Golden Lantern and Pacific Coast Highway. Measure H promotes responsible, fair and consistent development following the 2008 Town Center Plan. Vote yes on H and no on I. 

This letter was respectfully submitted by Betty Hill, on behalf of members of Dana Point Residents for Responsible Development.