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Murrieta council forms ad hoc subcommittee to study statewide ballot option on local land-use control
Summary
The Murrieta City Council voted unanimously to form an ad hoc subcommittee to study the feasibility of a statewide ballot measure or constitutional amendment aimed at restoring or expanding local control over land-use decisions. Supporters urged coalition-building; opponents and callers warned about costs and staff time.
The Murrieta City Council voted unanimously, 4-0, on July 7 to create an ad hoc subcommittee to explore a potential statewide ballot initiative or constitutional amendment that would give cities more say over land-use decisions.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday and Councilmember Lori Stone were appointed to the subcommittee. Assistant City Manager Kristin Crane told the council the item is preliminary and that the subcommittee’s early work would include drafting possible language, assessing cost and staffing implications, and building a regional coalition.
"I think we need a constitutional amendment in California that says cities get a say," Mayor Pro Tem Holliday said in a lengthy presentation arguing the effort would protect locally tailored planning and address what he described as a “one-size-fits-all” approach from Sacramento. "We can't keep telling residents, 'sorry, we don't have a choice.'"
Councilmember Stone, who made the motion, said the subcommittee would be the first step in testing feasibility and seeking partners such as the League of California Cities and regional councils. "We have to at least figure out what we can do," Stone said.
Several residents spoke during a lengthy public-comment period. Christie White urged the council to define the problem and a likely cost before committing city resources, warning that a statewide campaign could be expensive and that private coalitions already exist. "What problem are we solving specifically, and why should Murrieta taxpayers pay to solve it?" White asked.
Caller Henry Fung said statewide goals sometimes require statewide action and cautioned against using staff time for a divisive statewide campaign. "If members of the city council want to do this on their own time and expense, go right ahead," Fung said.
Council supporters said the subcommittee would keep city staff time and expenses minimal and would aim to hand off a developed proposal to a larger coalition or to Cal Cities if broader participation and funding were needed. The council agreed the subcommittee will provide periodic updates to the full council.
The motion to form the subcommittee and appoint Holliday and Stone passed unanimously, 4-0. The council directed the subcommittee to return with status reports; no immediate funding commitment or ballot language was adopted.
