Vista Redevelopment Plan Boundaries Approved in Vote

In a move that pushes Vista’s redevelopment efforts forward, voters Tuesday approved by nearly a 2-to-1 margin an advisory measure outlining the project boundaries for the civic revitalization campaign.

With a light turnout of about 17%, the final results were 2,334 or 65.8% in favor of the redevelopment boundaries, and 1,211 or 34.2% opposed.

Approval of the boundaries sets the stage for hearings on the matter before the City Council in July.

While the measure, dubbed Proposition E, was simply an advisory vote for the council, city officials had expressed some concern that redevelopment could be sidetracked had voters rejected the proposition.

Drawn by Task Force

The council is expected to have few gripes with the redevelopment boundaries, which were drawn up by a task force of residents and merchants.

If the boundaries are not approved by August, Vista stands to lose the property taxes it would collect this year through redevelopment.

The boundaries run along Vista Way and Santa Fe Avenue, Vista’s major commercial thoroughfares, and encompass a rock quarry that is slated to become a business park.

Residents agreed to go forward with the redevelopment effort last November after a raucous campaign. In contrast, there was little electioneering leading up to Tuesday’s vote, as redevelopment opponents declared that the advisory measure was largely an academic exercise.