A message to the residents of Riverside, California

Our scenic city is once more under attack! Here we go again...

Last year, a Las Vegas developer spent over $1,500,000 to put Measure L on the November 4, 2014 Special City Election ballot and failed miserably.

The petition gatherers misled voters with false claims that the measure would save the La Sierra hills from overdevelopment. The developer thought by throwing more money at the problem would fix it; as has happened in past developments. Wrong!

They are planning another unscrupulous attack on one of our last open spaces. Prepare to make room for rabbit warrens if they get their way.

Residents throughout Riverside worked hard to pass Prop. R in 1979 and Measure C in 1987. These voter approved laws have repeatedly withstood the test of time - nearly forty years now.

Thank you for your continued support and committment to protect Riverside's Prop. R and Measure C's long standing success to protect our scenic hills and open spaces.

Sincerely,

The Protect Riverside Team

The 38 Year Saga of Prop. R and Measure C

1977

Citizens collected thousands of signatures to put the first initiative, Prop. B, on the ballot to preserve orange groves, scenic hills, arroyos, and Victoria Avenue. Developers misled voters, narrowly defeating the measure, but support for careful growth grew and a second stronger initiative was qualified for the ballot.

1979

Riversiders for Reasonable Growth was formed, citizens of Riverside collected signatures and in 1979 Prop R was passed to protect Riversides Victoria Avenue, Santa Ana River, Greenbelt, Hillsides and Arroyos.

1987 - City Council vs the People of Riverside

Measure C came about because the then City Council was granting variances to Prop R (4 Council votes was all it took) to get away with grading and smaller lots. Once again, Riverside citizens collected signatures, placed Measure C on the ballot, which added the Rancho La Sierra lands and mandated a Specific Plan on them that allowed clustering of homes.

1989 - Opposition vs the People of Riverside

Measure E placed on the ballot by Developer Chuck Cox to repeal Prop R and Measure C at a cost of $337,000. The Citizens of Riverside voted to keep Prop R & Measure C in place by 80%.

1990 - Developer Lawsuit defeated

Developers brought a lawsuit to overturn these laws in court. The California State Supreme Court rejected their case, upholding R & C.

2003 - Opposition vs the People of Riverside

City of Riverside attempted to delete the La Sierra Hills and Rancho La Sierra from Prop R and Measure C by declaring them blighted under redevelopment law. The Citizens of Riverside sued the City and won, keeping Prop R and Measure C intact. Redevelopment law is abolished by the State of California.

2005 - City Council vs the People of Riverside

The City Council approved the first version of “donate the hills” but with 720 homes on Rancho La Sierra. The Citizens (Rural Residents) take this to court and it is declared invalid and illegal for the City of Riverside to amend. Any amendments to Prop R and Measure C must be voted on by the citizens of the City of Riverside.

2014 - Opposition vs the People of Riverside

A Las Vegas developer spent a record amount, over $1.5 million, to qualify and campaign for Measure L. This proposal would have repealed R & C in La Sierra, allowing 1,950 houses – even high-rise apartments – while taking limited water supplies and causing severe traffic congestion. Voters rejected L decisively by 57%.

2015 - Opposition vs the People of Riverside, again!

The same developer behind Measure L plans another attempt to break down La Sierra’s long-established land use protections and quality of life with too many houses.

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