Monterey County voters just say 'no'

Posted June 6, 2007

by Mary Duan

In what's been described as the most contentious and controversial election ever in Monterey County, voters on Tuesday voted "no" to every land use measure put forth in a special election surrounding the county's General Plan.

But in doing so, voters also failed to repeal the General Plan approved by the County Board of Supervisors in January, and according to county counsel Lee Blankenship, that "no" vote -- the failure to repeal -- means the plan referred to as GPU4 is in effect.

Linda Tulett, Monterey County registrar of voters, said Wednesday morning there are a number of absentee ballots remaining to be counted, and that the final results of the election won't be officially certified for about three weeks.

In Tuesday's election, voters faced decisions on three measures surrounding the General Plan:

Measure A, also known as the Community General Plan Initiative, a so-called "slow growth" plan developed by LandWatch Monterey County, which would limit growth in the county to five development areas and lots of record. According to preliminary results, Measure A was defeated by a total of 26,648 to 21,621, or 55.21 percent to 44.79 percent;

Measure B, which asked voters if they wanted to repeal the supervisor-approved General Plan -- or GPU4 -- was defeated by a vote of 24,944 to 22,782, or 52.27 percent to 47.73 percent; and

Measure C, which asked voters whether they wanted to approve the supervisor's GPU4, was defeated by a vote of 26,657 to 20,934, or 56.01 percent to 43.99 percent.

Voters also rejected a fourth measure -- Measure D -- that sought approval on a controversial development north of Salinas known as Butterfly Village.
Marin-based developer HYH Corp. had downsized Butterfly Village from a much larger plan known as Rancho San Juan.

Election results show Measure D was defeated by a vote of 30,275 to 16,568, or 64.63 percent to 35.37 percent.

Mark Blum, a Monterey attorney representing HYH Corp., could not be reached for immediate comment. HYH principal Moe Nobari already has won a court ruling that the county has improperly delayed the processing of his development application. The county could be facing liability of $100 million if the 1,146-home project does not go through.