The Sandcastle Gazette
Kelvin Coveduck's height-limit measure
Kelvin Coveduck says his height-limit measure will protect Grover Beach. The state already warned it conflicts with California housing law and can't be legally implemented. Here's what the sandcastle actually holds back.
Three campaign promises, and what's printed in small type at the bottom of each one.
Cap building heights and Grover Beach stays the beach town you moved to.
The state warned the city the measure conflicts with housing law. A cap the city can't enforce protects nothing. It just sits on the beach and waits for high tide.
Take zoning decisions away from city officials and put development caps straight on the ballot.
A city ballot can't overrule state law. When the two collide, the city defends the measure in court, and "the city" means you and your tax bill.
A neighbor standing up to regional mandates and developer-friendly city staff.
It speaks for the neighbors who already own a house here. The people who stock shelves, cook dinner and staff the clinic are still standing outside the fence.
Every vignette in the cartoon has a line item.
If the measure passes, Grover Beach gets sued right away. Local taxpayers pay for the city's defense.
Estimated cost to defend: $500,000+
The lawyer in the cartoon is smiling for a reason.
State money for roads and infrastructure depends on Housing Element compliance. The measure puts that compliance at risk, and the grants go with it.
Grant funding at risk: $3,000,000+
The potholes will be locally controlled, at least.
The measure caps what can be built. It doesn't add one home for the people who work in town and can't afford to live here.
Their sign asks a fair question. Nobody behind the fence is reading it.
Before this measure reached the ballot, state housing officials warned that it conflicts with California housing law and can't be legally implemented.
HCD Technical Assistance Letter
Passing it anyway won't change the law. It schedules the lawsuit and sends taxpayers the bill.