Voters in Cypress went to the polls on Tuesday, June 25, and voted against Measure A and the proposed development of a portion of the former Los Alamitos Golf Course property.
Voters in Cypress went to the polls on Tuesday, June 25, and voted against Measure A and the proposed development of a portion of the former Los Alamitos Golf Course property.
The council approved restrictive covenants on the property on Monday, May 13, and owner Christo Bardis said he wanted to work with the city and make the majority of property residential. The restrictions won endorsement from the council and local group Citizens for Responsible Development, but the days leading up to the election brought many people who opposed the project to the city council, advising residents not to be fooled a second time. Voters approved Measure L in 2012 thinking they were voting for a senior center at Katella Avenue and Enterprise Drive, and now face a proposed truck facility from Pro Logis, based in San Francisco.
The unofficial results showed 4,514 “No” votes for 69 percent of the vote, with the “Yes” votes totaling 1,922 for 31 percent. The election attracted 6,211 of the city’s 24,891 voters to the polls. Voters overwhelmingly preferred mailing their ballots as 4,514 voters (72.7 percent) voted from their homes.
The end result means no development on the former Los Alamitos Golf Course property, for now, and the area will remain open space.
Citizens for Responsible Development Director Steven Mauss endorsed Measure A, and said throughout the special election his group worked hard to help restore integrity and trust in our political process.
“Our primary short-term goal was to ensure that voters would get what they voted for,” he said. “If they were presented a plan to build single-family housing, that is what a “Yes” vote would bring. If they chose instead to leave the Measure A land as open space, that is what a “No” vote would bring. The voters have now made their choice and the results of the election must be respected.
“We in the CFRD look forward to continuing our work with all interested parties to promote responsible development in Cypress that includes a balance of open space, residential, and commercial land uses, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to participate in our democracy. We encourage all to stay engaged to help promote a high quality of life in our communities through active, civil, open, and honest discourse.”
Resident Dave Emerson called the election a huge defeat for golf course owner Christo Bardis and the Cypress City Council.
“City Attorney William Wynder and City Manager John Bahorski led the charge, along with Councilman Doug Bailey,” he said “The ‘No’ votes defeated the ‘Yes’ votes by 69 to 31 percent even after Bardis outspent the “No on A” people almost $50 to $1. If the Cypress City Council doesn't change their tune and reject ProLogis outright, unwind Measure L, and get a new City Attorney and maybe a new City Manager, it's time to change the council, starting with Bardis' $30,000 hired gun Doug Bailey. It may also be time for Citizens for Responsible Development to change their top leadership.”
An email to City Hall seeking council comment on the election was not returned before press time.
The next Cypress City Council meeting is Monday, July 8.