Every San Diego County voter has important choices to make this coming Election Day. On the local level, one of the most significant votes you will cast will be on Measure B, which is, simply put, a taxpayer giveaway to a corporate investor.
Not sure what Measure B is all about? That’s no surprise, given the deceptive tactics of the “yes” campaign. The measure’s supporters would have you believe that it would solve San Diego’s affordable housing crisis – but nothing could be further from the truth.
The fact is that Measure B would allow a private financing company to set its own rules for building a housing development that would, first and foremost, enrich its investors. The development in question, Lilac Hills Ranch, would be built far from any public transit and basic essentials like safe road access, fire protection and emergency medical services. Based on a county study on this measure taxpayers – including people who live in south county cities – would be left to pitch in $1 billion or more to help pay for road improvements and other infrastructure to support developments in this area.
Supporters of this ballot measure talk a big talk about Measure B helping to address San Diego’s housing crisis. But that’s nothing more than a campaign gimmick. The houses that would be built if Measure B passes would be anything but affordable for most local residents. Lilac Hills Ranch single-family homes would cost $500,000-700,000. That’s more than the average price of a single family home in Chula Vista.[1]
The investor tried to get approval through the official channels at the County, but when it became clear that the Board of Supervisors would not approve the project it turned to another strategy: mislead voters into approving a bad project.
This developer knows that most hard working voters don’t have time to read a 600-page ballot measure to uncover the hidden advantages Measure B gives them. They are counting on voters to believe their advertising campaign, on which they have spent over $2.5 million so far.
One key fact about Measure B that its sponsors want you to ignore is that it would add 19,000 new car trips to San Diego County roads and freeways EVERY DAY. This measure would give the green light to a bedroom community 50 miles away from downtown jobs and amenities, which means more freeway gridlock for the rest of us trying to get around.
Perhaps the worst part about Measure B is the precedent it would set. If voters approve this measure, it would invite any corporate investor to come into any community – including Chula Vista or National City – and try to get voter approval to build anything, anywhere. Community input and processes on how our land is used and who pays for improvements and environmental protection would be handed over to the highest bidder.
Don’t believe the hype that any housing is good housing. Vote No on Measure B and tell rich corporations that they have to play by the rules, just like the rest of us.
Shu is the president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation.
