San Clemente voters to decide on development measure

Voters in San Clemente will head to the polls Saturday to vote on a single ballot measure about development.

San Clemente’s Measure A is a referendum on a plan to develop the city’s North Beach area.

If most people vote “yes” on the measure, the City Council would move forward on a plan to turn a beach parking lot into the Playa del Norte development.

The proposed project includes shops, restaurants and office space with public plazas that offer views of the ocean.

Supporters say it will help revive a blighted neighborhood while maintaining some open space.

But opponents say the city, which took the property by eminent domain four decades ago to create the public parking lot, would be selling the property to a private developer at a fraction of its value.

Opponents say it would reduce beach parking without doing enough to improve the blighted businesses and lots in the area.

A “yes” vote on Measure A means you support building the new development. A “no” vote means no project.