veterans cemetery Petitioners gather enough signatures for referendum
OC Post-Irvine World NewsDec 28, 2017
IRVINE -- It likely will be up to Irvine residents next year to decide the fate of the first military veterans cemetery in Orange County.
The Orange County registrar of voters has verified petitioners collected enough signatures to hold a referendum over the
Supporters of the Save the
"I'm delighted," said
"It's the most beautiful example of civic participation I've seen in this town."
Pope submitted 19,140 signatures a few hours before the
The referendum required at least 11,939 qualified signatures - 10 percent of the city's registered voters.
However, Mayor
"The campaign was built
around the Save the
After the state passed a bill in 2014 to build a cemetery on a piece of land Irvine owns near the
A report also came out estimating the first phase of the project - including the demolition of the original site and construction of a portion of the cemetery - would cost
The council also approved a zone change to allow development of 812,000 square feet of research and development uses at the original cemetery site. FivePoint, which has the right to develop the freeway property for such uses, requested the zone change as part of the land swap.
Those who oppose the land swap say they worry if FivePoint develops that land, Irvine residents would suffer from increased traffic and air pollution.
The referendum specifically asks to repeal the zone change of the original site, which FivePoint officials say would kill the land swap deal.
Supporters of the land swap say the referendum could delay or even jeopardize construction of any veterans cemetery in Orange County.
FivePoint Chairman and CEO
He said he respects the democratic process and does not plan to fight the referendum.