We are excited to share with you that, in just five months’ time, we have collected more than 5,000 signatures for our Growth Management initiative petition!  This is really wonderful news!  Barring inadmissible signatures, the Growth Management initiative has now qualified for a General Election.  However, because a General Election will not take place for nearly two years, we are hoping to collect a total of 7,000 signatures to qualify for a Special Election.  A Special Election would happen much sooner, and that benefits us by limiting the time that the City has to proceed with its current plan.  If we win a Special Election, the City would be forced to adhere much more quickly to voted-in height limits in the downtown Transit Village areas.   If we have to wait for a General Election, the City would have more time to push full-steam ahead without building height limits in the Transit Village areas.

Remember that Brian Desatnik, Director of Development Services, reminded us why it is imperative that we collect enough signatures to get the Growth Management initiative on a ballot:

“Current zoning in the downtown has no limit on building height.”

So this is why we are imploring you to help us reach our goal,  We have until June 1 (with the extension granted us) to get this done.  Every signature counts, so if you know anyone who wants to sign a petition, call John at (909) 496-1539, hit reply to this email, or email PreserveRedlandsNow@yahoo.com.  We are happy to take a petition anywhere for a signature or provide you with a petition to collect signatures.

We are having another petition signing station at the corner of Cajon and Highland (Prospect Park) this Saturday,  March 13 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm).  Last Saturday’s signing station at Prospect Park resulted in 180 signatures!

We are also planning for two signing stations at Brookeside Park (between Terracina and Bellevue above Brookside on Saturday,  March 20 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) and Saturday, March 27 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm).  We are looking for volunteers to help.  Whether it’s one hour or three hours, we’ll gladly take whatever you can give!  If you want to help make sure that we collect enough signatures to qualify the initiative for a Special Election, then this is a great way to do it.  The requirements are minimal:  wear a hat to protect against the sun, wear a smile, and briefly chat with residents about why the initiative is necessary.  Cheat sheets will be available.  Or if you prefer, you can simply hold up a “Save Redlands Now” sign to draw attention to the signing station.  Remember, the City is already moving ahead with its plans.  The time to act is now, not later.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to gather more than 5,000 signatures!   Remember, we did that in five months’ time.  With your help, we can easily collect another 2,000 signatures in the remaining three months. Let’s keep the momentum going and get this done!