We reported on September 1, 1999 (see below) that residents in Huntington Beach, CA had gathered more than 22,000 signatures to put a referendum before voters on whether or not to rezone land for yet another Wal-Mart. On September 2nd, the Orange County Registrar verified that 15,445 signatuares were valid, and the question is slated to go before the Huntington Beach City Council on September 7th. The Council could end the matter then by voting to change the zoning back to its original state. But the developer for Wal-Mart, the Arnel Retail Group, filed a lawsuit against the City Clerk, the City Council, the City, and one of the citizens in Crest View United who filed petition papers. Arnel claims that the initiative is invalid and that the signatures were gathered illegally, in part because the people gathering signatures were not carrying around with them copies of the city’s Comprehensive land use plan.
Crest View United feels strongly that if this rezoning matter is submitted to the voters, that they will reject the developer and Wal-Mart’s request for rezoning land. The Courts will now decide if the matter can be brought to the voters. For further information, or to offer support, contact [email protected]
