HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

After lengthy discussion, the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night voted to put a proposed city charter amendment on the ballot that would require voter approval for some development projects.

 The proposal was approved with Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns and Councilmember Tony Strickland in favor and Councilmembers Natalie Moser, Rhonda Bolton and Dan Kalmick abstaining.

 The proposed charter amendment, to go to voters in the Nov. 5 general election, is as follows:

 “No City initiated general plan amendment or zoning change may be approved by the City where the related environmental review (EIR) finds the same proposed general plan update or zoning change presents “significant and unavoidable” negative impacts to the environment, without first receiving approval by a vote of the people.” The proposed Charter Amendment should include language to the effect of “City Planning and Zoning is a local, “municipal affair,” beyond the reach of State control or interference; and City Planning and Zoning is a local activity reserved for the City and its people, and not the State.”

 The proposed amendment ties in with the ongoing struggle between the city council majority and the State of California over certain housing mandates, especially the Regional Housing Developments Assessment, which would require Huntington Beach to zone for – but not necessarily – build over 13,000 new residences.

  Council members and others exchanged differing views of the proposal. Councilman Dan Kalmick called it “overly broad” and  Bolton doubted that such an amendment would indeed protect “local control,” saying “It’s an illusion. What are we really giving the people?”

 City Attorney Michael Gates said the state requirements would end up requiring 41,000 units; Burns described the proposed amendment as an effort to resist “the tyrannical influence of the state and Governor [Gavin] Newsom.”

  The next meeting of the council is set for Tuesday, July 16.