Though a proposed open space initiative got enough signatures of residents to put the measure on the ballot, officials are standing in the way. The La Habra City Council delayed putting the measure on the ballot at the January 7th meeting.

Residents behind the Open Space measure organized the effort to stop overdevelopment. The measure would require a public vote to change land use from open space to zoning that would allow development.

In particular the ballot effort by residents was launched to oppose the Rancho La Habra 400-home development proposed to replace the Westridge Golf Course. If passed the measure would affect all areas of the city currently designated as open space zoning and require a public vote to change zoning.

A letter sent to the city from the Building Industry Association of Southern California stated “Clearly, the primary and, arguably, only purpose of the initiative is to thwart the Rancho La Habra development. This is a patent abuse of the initiative power.”

The council-requested report on the legal impact of putting the initiative on the ballot will be discussed and may be decided at the February 4th council meeting.