Can't buy the popular vote in Mendocino and Davis

Two election day victories show that developers, even when backed by powerful not-for-profits, can't buy the approval of the voters.

In Mendocino County, Developers Diversified Realty (DDR) of Ohio, whose motto is: “Together, we break ground every day,” owned an old industrial property just south of Ukiah on Highway 101 and wanted to build a 800,000 square-foot mall and housing complex there. DDR a Real-Estate Investment Trust (REIT) has projects in 44 states, Canada, Brazil and Puerto Rico. The Otto family of Germany, a leading European developer and manager of inner-city shopping centers in Central and Eastern European countries, has a one-third stake in DDR, and major development interests in the U.S.

Though the Ukiah City Council and County Supervisors said no to the project, DDR hired signature gatherers, qualified a ballot initiative to rezone the site from industrial to commercial-mixed use, and launched “Mendocino County Tomorrow”. Because this huge development would impact downtown and surrounding established businesses, AfD Councilmember Steve Scalmanini and others founded Save Our Local Economy and defeated the measure 62-38%.

Final numbers won’t be in until January, but looks like DDR spent about $900,000 for their “free speech,” while the grassroots spent $92,000...for DDR, that’s about $125.00 per “yes” vote. Steve reports that one local political strategist commented: “They spent a million dollars to get out our vote!”

Read more here, here, and here. Save Our Local Economy has outlined better ideas for the site, including green technology industrial complexes that could house businesses in the sectors of renewable energy, such as biomass, solar farming, and green building.

Meanwhile, in Davis, a General Plan amendment Measure P, to allow a peripheral development of 191 houses, endorsed by the Sierra Club because of green design features including roof-top solar, was defeated 75-25% by 30% of registered voters and all precincts voting “No” - an amazing, sweeping victory. The developer paid $240,000 for this special election, buying a public process for private gain, claiming the election was costing Davis voters nothing. Although, final reports are not in, the “Yes” side spent an additional $300,000 vs. under $5,000 for the “No” side.