The cash-strapped State of California decided to put some of its property up for sale this past summer in order to pay off some more out-of-whack public employee union pensions. Oops I mean in order to ‘fix the budget’. The Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa was one of the signature pieces.
A view of the OC Fair during SuperFair 2009
Unlike other properties that initially fought the idea of being sold, many in Orange County relished the chance to take over State control and bring it to a local level (dealing with the obscure 32nd District Agricultural Association isn’t very fun for vendors from what I’ve heard). OC Fair board members endorsed a resolution supporting the sale shortly after the Assembly vote.
Now fast forward a few months. Costa Mesa, the city in which the fairgrounds reside, has rightly begun to worry about the longterm land-use at the site. The Master Plan put together by the Fair board was never adopted into the city’s General Plan, and only a few short lines describe the actual inherent use at the site.
When City Councilman Gary Monahan requested Assistant City Attorney Harold Potter (yes, that is his real name. And no, he doesn’t have a lightning bolt on his forehead) to see what legal ramifications there would be to putting an initiative on the ballot for the citizens to lock in the zoning and land-use, Potter stalled and came back four months later with “I see no legal basis for it.” Funny, every other land-use attorney would seem to disagree. Potter and his agency (which is paid for by the City) instead suggested generating a Specific Plan for the fairgrounds that would take 6 months and hundreds of hours of attorney fees. Big surprise.
Well, the Specific Plan was voted for by the City Council, and soonafter Mayor Allan Mansoor received a harsh letter from the state saying they will “consider whatever options may be available to preserve the Fairgrounds’ value.” Mayor Mansoor decided to fight back, and after speaking with Jim Righeimer, who is spear-heading the ‘Save the Fair’ effort to get an initiative on the ballot, decided that was the best route. Depending on how long it takes to get the language, the city council can and most likely will put the initiative on the ballot directly instead of forcing citizens like Righeimer to collect thousands of signatures.
The battle is on so don’t expect this to end any time soon. The next thing to watch will be the major players involved in bidding. It is out for RFP right now until January. The County of Orange itself may be a bidder as well as the non-profit put together by fair board members Dave Ellis and Kristina Dodge. Rumor has it AEG concert company would be very interested in the Pacific Amphhitheater there – especially after the troubles down at the Irvine Wireless Amphitheater. We here at DoP will keep a close eye on it for you.
Allan…
RT @DrunkonPolitics: "Daily Drink-6/15/2010" - http://bit.ly/9yHwJF #tcot #sgp #gop #teaparty
RT @DrunkonPolitics: "Daily Drink-6/15/2010" - http://bit.ly/9yHwJF #tcot #sgp #gop #teaparty
RT @DrunkonPolitics: "Daily Drink-6/15/2010" - http://bit.ly/9yHwJF #tcot #sgp #gop #teaparty
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