The following is a press release from an organization unaffiliated with Voice of OC. The views expressed here are not those of Voice of OC.
For Immediate Release
January 25, 2016
Fairview Park Preservation Alliance
Contact: Dr. Dick Mehren
714-856-7959
714-545-2768
Local activists wanting to preserve Fairview Park in its present state have submitted an initiative to the City of Costa Mesa which could accomplish just that. The initiative, if qualified with approximately 7000 signatures of Costa Mesa registered voters, and then approved by voters in the November 2016 General Election, would require voter approval in a general election if the City proposes significant changes to Fairview Park. Voters would have the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on the proposed change or changes.
” The Fairview Park Preservation Alliance wants to work with Costa Mesa officials to ensure Fairview Park is maintained as the type of park the original 1986 Trust Deed with the State and County, and the Master Plan envisioned,” said the Alliance (FPPA) president, Dr Richard Mehren.
“The initiative was worded in such a way as to keep the Park as is except for minor changes,” said Mehren. “It is our hope that the city will stay within the boundaries of the Fairview Park Master Plan so there would never be a need for a special election,” he added.
Some of the changes proposed for the park which would trigger a vote of the citizens are: 1) building of permanent structures; 2) installation of electric, gas, or sewer lines; 3) installation of additional lighting; 4)expansion of park hours; 5) expansion of present parking lot footprints.
The ordinance will not apply if changes are made for restoration purposes, preservation or maintenance purposes or public safety.
Any significant change to the park must first be approved by the appropriate governing body then the Costa Mesa voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject such change.
FPPA was formed in 2015 by local residents concerned over plans to develop parts of Fairview Park into a sports complex.
Dr Mehren added, “Since our introductory meeting in Fairview Park this past summer, our membership has grown substantially, all with a common goal to keep Fairview Park natural and open.”
Signature gathering and training meetings began the week of Dec. 7, 2015 and will continue through the end of March.
FPPA members submitted the petition to the city clerk on Sept 18. There was about a 10 week delay in the petition’s signature gathering launch while FPPA members and the City attorney discussed the initiative and the summary.
For further information see
www.facebook.com/groups/1626485264275535/
http://www.fairviewparkalliance.org/
or call 949-515-4598
Voice of OC posts press releases to provide readers with information directly from organizations. We do not edit or rewrite press releases, and encourage readers to contact the originator of a given release for more information. To submit a press release email pressreleases@voiceofoc.org