Voter Interest in Livable Community Issues High in Off-Year Election Cycle; Relieving School Overcrowding, Preserving Open Space, Scrutinizing New Development Top State and Local Ballots

Business Wire, Oct 29, 1999

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1999--

In this off-year election cycle, voter interest in livability issues remains high, according to a survey of state and local election boards conducted by The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Many of the ballot initiatives being decided around the country next Tuesday would address the core livability issues facing many American communities, such as overcrowded schools, unchecked development, transportation needs, and preserving open space.

By far, according to the survey, the most common ballot initiative voters will decide is whether to grant local bond authority directed at reducing severe overcrowding in public schools. For example, in Orange County, Calif., voters may approve more than $200 million in bonds to reduce school overcrowding and in Los Angeles, voters could authorize $131 million to address this issue. Fairfax County, Virginia, will ask voters to fund bonds totaling $297 million to address school overcrowding.

"It's pretty clear from our ballot survey that improving livability is a goal of citizens in many communities this election cycle," said AIA President Michael J. Stanton, FAIA. "We expect even greater voter interest in livable communities in the 2000 elections where key population growth states like California, Arizona, and Colorado are considering state ballots on growth management and open space protection initiatives."

The survey also identified 1999 ballot initiatives to preserve historic properties in Glendale, Arizona, and in Baltimore, Maryland; require voter approval for new developments projects in Pleasanton and San Ramon, Calif.; and increase open space preservation in at least six Colorado counties and in Washington, Arizona, and Florida.

While most are local ballot initiatives, at least two states, Ohio and Maine, seek voter approval for statewide bonds to purchase land for public use (Maine) and operating funds for a system of schools throughout the state (Ohio).

In an AIA survey on livable communities, state and local government officials cited `livability' issues such as education, suburban sprawl, and traffic congestion to be the most important political issues they face. About 75 percent of the respondents said that architects should play a role in helping communities address the most critical issues: suburban sprawl, the quality of educational facilities, and housing and commercial development.

Interestingly, fifty-three percent of the livable communities survey respondents said the role of the federal government should be to support state and local governments through funding, while 30 percent said the federal government should increase funding and promote regional planning.

Through the AIA's Center for Livable Communities, architects contribute to making safe, attractive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable communities that offer choices in housing and recreation, transportation alternatives, open spaces, and a shared identity and sense of pride. Information on resources and materials are available by contacting the AIA's Center for Livable Communities at (202) 626-7405.

Editor's Note: A list of selected 1999 livable communities ballot initiatives in key states is attached to this release. Also, contact Phil Simon, 202-626-7463, to request a copy of the AIA Survey of State and Local Officials on Livable Communities. -0-

                  SUMMARY OF 1999 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
                    BALLOT PROPOSALS IN KEY STATES

Arizona
City of Glendale:
--   Proposition No. 1: $18.2 Million for Cultural Facility and
     preservation of historic properties
--   Proposition No. 6: $15.4 Million for library renovations and
     improved library grounds
--   Proposition No. 7: $57.2 Million for parks and recreation
--   Proposition No. 10: 53.7 Million for preservation of open space
     and trails
--   Proposition No. 11: $6.9 Million for transit service improvement

     In addition, there is a proposal entitled the "Citizens Growth
Management Initiative" that is under consideration for the 2000
election

California
(City of) Agoura Hills
--   Measure B: Open space preservation

Antelope Valley Union HS District (Los Angeles County)
--   Measure E: $91 Million in bonds for school facilities "to relieve
     serious overcrowding"

Capistrano Unified School District (Orange County)
--   Measure A: $65 Million in bonds to address the problem of
     "neighborhood school overcrowding"

El Monte City School District (Los Angeles County)
--   Measure K: $40 Million in bonds "to relieve severe overcrowding"

William S. Hart Union HS District (Los Angeles County)
--   Measure A: $52 Million in bonds "to relieve severe overcrowding"

(City of) Livermore
--   Measure B: General urban growth limitation plan

(City of) Los Altos
--   Measure H: Community improvement plan

(City of) Pleasanton
--   Measure D: Require voter approval for development projects

San Francisco
--   Proposition I: Central freeway corridor housing and
     transportation improvement act

(City of) San Ramon
--   Measure F: Require voter approval for development projects

Santa Ana Unified School District (Orange County)
--   Measure C: $145 Million in bonds "to relieve severe overcrowding"

Santa Barbara Community College District
--   Measure T99: $44.8 Million in bonds "to reduce classroom
     overcrowding"

     In addition, California voters have a statewide bond proposal for
"Parks, water and coastal protection" on the March 7, 2000 ballot

Colorado
Adams County
--   .2 cent sales tax increase for open space preservation

Boulder County
--   County Issue 1A: Open space and use tax extension

(City of) Brighton
--   Reallocation of existing sales tax for open space preservation
     and parks and recreation

(Town of) Erie
--   Ballot Issue 2A: Open space preservation and trail improvement

(City of) Lafayette
--   Ballot Question 2A: Increases the legacy tax for open space
     preservation

(City of) Louisville
--   Ballot Question 2A: Proposal to exceed limitations set by TABOR
     (Tax Payers Bill of Rights) for transportation and open space
     enhancements

     In addition, an effort is underway in Colorado to put growth
management on the statewide ballot for 2000

Florida
Miami
--   Bond issue for improved neighborhood infrastructure
--   Bond issue to improve parks and beaches

Maine (statewide ballot proposals)
--   Question 7: $50 Million in bonds for public land purchases and
     easements
--   Question 9: Reduced property taxes on property maintained for
     historic preservation

Maryland
Baltimore
--   Ballot Question A: Authorizes a $13 Million community development
     loan
--   Ballot Question D: $2 Million for recreation and parks
     renovation, including redevelopment of historic Druid Hill
     Conservatory and its gardens and renovation of historic Patterson
     Park boat lake
--   Ballot Question F: $1 Million Living Classrooms loan
--   Ballot Question I: $500,000 Maryland Historical Society Loan

Ohio (statewide proposed Constitutional Amendment)
--   Issue 1: Constitutional amendment to authorize the state to issue
     bonds to pay costs of facilities for a system of common schools
     throughout the state

Virginia
Fairfax County
--   $297 Million bond proposal to address the issue of overcrowded
     schools (anticipated growth of 11,000 students over the next 8
     years)

Washington
Seattle
--   Proposition 1: $72 Million for the Seattle Center, community
     centers, and to improve the Opera House

Yakima County
--   Formation of a Grandview Park and Recreation Service Area