In one of the few times in politics where money apparently didn’t make the
edge, a grass roots activists on Tuesday won their battle against a ballot measure that would have permitted upzoning on Ocean Terrace for a certain developer to build a high rise tower in a historic district with two- and three-story buildings.
Led by North Beach residents and preservationists, voters soundly rejected the referendum to increase height limits on Ocean Terrace — even though the developers spent close to $700,000 to get a yes vote.
A little more than 55% of the voters said no, even though slick TV ads paid for by the For A Better North Beach political action committee told voters that a yes vote would help alleviate parking, spur more redevelopment and decrease the number of residential units on the strip.
For A Better PAC had reported spending $434,000 as of Oct. 29 of its $673,000 in contributions, which come exclusively from Ocean Terrace Holdings, which wanted to raze 11 of 13 historic buildings and replace it with a mega hotel-condo combination along the ocean front strip. Opponents spent about $25,000 or so — on a mailer, robocalls, social media and poll workers with signs — to get voters to reject the idea.
With a shoe string budget, getting outspent about 27 to one, a bunch of activists led by nobodies named Brad Bonessi and Kent Robbins beat campaign consultant and sleazy lobbyist David Custin — who also ran the campaigns of Mayor Philip Levine and two of the elected commissioners — and finally lost one.
Although he is still making out like a bandit, with not only a retainer of $8,000 a month from Ocean Terrace Holdings but also at least $180,000 worth of consulting and work for the Better North Beach PAC.
One has to wonder if, however, with an investment like that, the developers are going to let the voters have the last word.
Voters say No! to well-financed North Beach upzone question added by Ladra on
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