Our View - Too much of a good thing (June 26)

June 25, 2009 04:59 pm

— What could be wrong with a movement called Hometown Democracy?
This initiative, which requires voter approval for changes to a community's land use plan, sounds harmless enough. Take the power away from the elected officials and give it to the people.
The problems with this proposal are many.
First there's the cost of implementation. Imagine holding special elections for growth issues. Local government foots that bill. (The alternative is voting on such measures during regular elections, the timing of which could delay considerably the decision-making process.)
Then there's the cost of mounting a political campaign to win support for a proposed change to a land use plan. For large developers that's not an issue, but for smaller concerns such costs might prove prohibitive. In the end, only the well-heeled would be positioned to wage and win such battles.
After years of trying, Hometown Democracy will be on the ballot in 2010. It will be labeled Amendment 4. We think it's a bad idea.