Election results,11/3/15: Open Space Bond rejected, San Carlos

Pacifica Patch/Renee Schiavone, 11/4/15, (from Bay City News Service): "Open Space Bond rejected, Other results: San Mateo Election 2015."

San Carlos voters reject
paying for a community park.

"Voters weighed in Tuesday in the county's first all-mail election. "In San Mateo County’s first all-mail election Tuesday, voters in San Carlos solidly rejected a bond measure to finance the purchase of open space, but elsewhere in the county voters were looser with the purse strings and approved several school district and city tax and bond measures, according to complete unofficial election results. Measure V in San Carlos, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass, drew only 38.3 percent of the vote, according to the unofficial results.

The $45 million bond would have allowed the city to purchase nearly 25 acres on Black Mountain along Alameda de las Pulgas between Madera Avenue and Melendy Drive for the creation of a park. Supporters argued the measure was a unique opportunity to acquire open space and prevent the development of housing on the site, while opponents criticized the lack of concrete plans and the steep cost of the land."  Read more. 

Related article,  The Registry, Bay Area Real Estate/Jack Stubbs, 7/17/15,"San Carlos votes to issue $45 MM Bond for Black Mountain purchase." "The future of Black Mountain, a 25-acre wildlife and nature reserve that comprises some of the last undeveloped land in San Carlos, became a little more certain this week. The 25-acre preserve has for several months been the part of a dispute between residential developers and the city. If the city does not decide to purchase the land, developers might instead. On Monday, July 13th the San Carlos City Council voted unanimously in favor of including a bond measure—a $45 million measure with an annual cost to residents of approximately $20 per $100,000 in assessed property value—as part of the November 3rd ballot. The bond measure required a four-fifths majority vote from the City Council, but the measure received all five votes. In order for the bond measure to pass as part of the November ballot, it will require two-third of voters’ approval, according to San Carlos City Manager Jeff Maltbie."

Reference - Smart voter/Measure V: Black Mountain Park Bond. City of San Carlos, Departments/Black Mountain Park. "Black Mountain: Open Space in the Heart of San Carlos. Located along Alameda de las Pulgas between Madera Avenue and Melendy Drive, the area known as Black Mountain is one of the last remaining undeveloped residential areas in San Carlos. The nearly 25-acre site, which includes multiple parcels, is centrally located in San Carlos and is home to an array of local wildlife, trees and beautiful views of our area. It also offers the potential for tranquil walking paths, trails, recreation and park space, all easily accessible to residents. The Black Mountain Spring Water Company was named after the spring still actively flowing there.  Preservation for Future Generations Property on Black Mountain is currently on the market, and if purchased by a developer, up to 100 homes could be built there under current zoning regulations. If the City of San Carlos were to acquire Black Mountain, it would protect this area for open space, parks, trails and recreational access in the heart of our community."  Facebook.  The White Oaks Blog, "Yes on V". 

Note photograph by Jack Stubbs is from the related The Registry article (above).The Yes on V" graphic is from Yes on V, Save Black Mountain!,"A Park and Open Space, Not 100 Homes". The "No on V" photograph is by Bill Silverfarb from The Daily Journal, 11/4/15, "Measure V fails miserably."

  
Posted by Kathy Meeh