Pro North Beach Vision Coalition

City Council Votes 3-2 Approval

In a session that stretched into early morning hours the San Clemente City Council voted to approve Playa del Norte.  However project opponents Charles Mann and Brenda Miller immediately filed for a referendum.

The City Council began its meeting at 5 pm on Monday, July 19.  After staff presentations and public testimony, the Council voted 3-2 in favor of the project at 1:50 AM Tuesday morning.

Playa del Norte supporters, many wearing plastic green leis to identify themselves as the audience majority, cheered as the Council announced their vote.

There were 76 public speakers.  46 spoke in favor of the project and 28 spoke against.  One speaker was a project consultant who felt compelled to defend his reputation after he came under fire from City Council Member Bob Baker. 

Mann and Miller Launch Referendum

Charles Mann and Brenda Miller initiated an effort to qualify a second ballot measure on the Playa del Norte project.  Playa del Norte was approved by voters in 2008. 

Pro North Beach Vision Coalition urges voters NOT to sign petitions.  A second election would just rehash the same arguments - at a cost to taxpayers of $200,000!

If the two naysayers are able to gather 4,100 qualified signatures they will be able to force a special election in early 2011.  The cost of the special election would be $200,000, to be paid by the City of San Clemente.  The City has already cut services and staff due to tight budget constraints.

San Clemente voters passed Measure W on November 4, 2008 endorsing the North Beach Playa del Norte revitalization project by a 7% margin.  The Measure W victory assured the Playa del Norte project would continue to move forward.

Playa del Norte Timeline:

2004 - City Council accepts Downtown Vision Plan that calls for revitalization of North Beach 

2005 - City solicits proposals for North Beach revitalization

2006 - City Council unanimously selects the LAB

2006 - City enters into exclusive contract with LAB

2008 - Parking and Traffic Plans approved

2008 - Measure W approved by voters

2009 - City proceeds with Environmental Impact Report on Playa del Norte

2010 - Playa del Norte approved by Design Review Subcommittee

2010 - Planning Commission approves Playa del Norte

2010 - Naysayers threaten to sue City, points of potential lawsuit systematically refuted by City Attorney

2010 - City Council approves Playa del Norte

2010 - Naysayers say Measure W doesn't count, launch new referendum

A small but vocal opposition group still remains.  Led by Mann and Miller, they now claim that voters "did not know" what they were voting for with Measure W.  The Pro North Beach Vision Coalition regards this as a condescending insult to San Clemente citizens.  Whether for or against the project, we believe everyone's vote deserves respect.

The Pro North Beach Vision Coalition would like to thank all San Clemente residents for their support.  We are looking forward to bringing about improvement to North Beach through the completion of The LAB's Playa del Norte project.

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About this site...

The purpose of this web site is to provide a clearing house for accurate information regarding the North Beach Vision and LAB Project.  We are advocates of North Beach revitalization project but we do not intend to publish misinformation or shrill hyperbole in pursuit of our campaign.  If you feel any fact is materially misrepresented then please contact us.