Livermore residents may not get to vote on a bitterly contested affordable housing project after all.
After a court decision appeared likely to send the project before voters this November, city officials have determined a referendum isn’t necessary and that construction can move forward on the 130-unit complex downtown.
In March, a state appellate court ruled that the city had to consider a petition for a referendum by a neighborhood group opposing the project, set to be developed by the Hayward nonprofit Eden Housing.
But on Monday, the City Council, which has the final say over whether to put the issue on the ballot, voted 4-1 to effectively halt the measure.
The neighborhood group, Move Eden Housing, which gathered the thousands of signatures needed for a referendum, argues the project can’t proceed without a public vote. City officials, however, contend the court ruling makes clear that a referendum is needed only to build a proposed public park bordering the project, not the housing itself.
Over objections from residents who accused the city of denying the will of the voters, the council voted to pause completing the 1-acre park for at least a year as it continues working with the developer on the housing project, planned for the corner of Railroad Avenue and South L Street.
During Monday’s public meeting, Councilmember Evan Branning, whose district includes downtown, chastised residents who’ve opposed and delayed the project. Before pursuing the referendum, opponents unsuccessfully sued the city in 2021 to block the development.
“You are the ones sowing hate and division in our community,” said Branning. “You have the option to welcome our neighbors, to bring them in, to say that Livermore is a community that loves each other.”
Opponents, meanwhile, echoed a familiar refrain: We support affordable housing, just not this specific project.
“Eden Housing can be built somewhere else in this town, not downtown, where we play, where we walk, where we eat, where we entertain ourselves,” said resident Greg Rogowski. “Everyone here isn’t against Eden Housing — we’re just against where it’s going right now.”
In its interpretation of the court ruling, the city maintains that its decision to sell the land for the project to Eden Housing was an “administrative act,” which can’t be challenged by a referendum. Therefore, city officials said, only the decision to build a new park is subject to a public vote.
Related Articles
Housing |
California lawmakers abandon attempt to repeal law requiring voter approval for some public housing
Housing |
San Mateo County community devastated over affordable housing project razed by fire
Housing |
Homeownership suffers in California, US as prices outstrip incomes
Housing |
Bay Area home prices approach all-time high after spiking 12% in May
Housing …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
