STOPTHE
MONSTER!
Learn about the Mission Viejo 2022 Election and the 12 candidates running for city council. Find out where the candidates stand on eight important topics with one question per topic.
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This week's questions address E Bikes & Safety and Sober Living & Group Home Ordinance
BREAKING NEWS!
Learn about your candidates running for Mission Viejo City Council!
"Stop The Monster" questionnaire
Question #4
In 2021 the city bought Stein Mart at the cost of 11.9 million. Today, the building is still empty and is an eye sore to the community. Stein Mart was bought behind closed door negotiations by the city with a lack of transparency leaving many citizens of Mission Viejo distrustful.
If elected what your vision for the Stein Mart building and how would you win back the trust of the citizens?
Time Line
• 2017 March City Council approved the Core Area Vision Plan
• 2020 Aug 12 - Stein Mart files for bankruptcy
• 2021 Feb 23 - The City Council announces that it has started negotiations for the Stein Mart building
• 2021 March- September – Behind closed door negotiations to Buy Stein Mart take place.
• 2021 Sept 14 - City buys Stein Mart for 11.9 million using bonds and cutting programs to pay for this building.
*At the time “ The largest single cut eliminating the Kid’s Factory subsidy” which provided $482,000 annually for the city’s afterschool program for kids’ kindergarten through sixth grade.
Did the city offer at any time prior to buying Stein Mart an opportunity for its citizens to find out and speak on the matter ???????
Public comment was given September 14, 2021 , but it wasn’t a hearing or discussion. The Sept. 14 meeting was to tell the Citizens that there was a purchase agreement unveiled
In the city council meeting minutes/summary, that are kept and can be seen on the city web site, Citizen Gilbert says it best with his factual quote; "This plan was never presented to the residents”
OC Voice: https://voiceofoc.org/2021/09/mission-viejo-moves-ahead-with-stein-mart-purchase-locking-in-millions-of-bond-debt/
STOPTHE
MADNESS!
Don't let ValueRock Realty ruin our city forever
48,000 sq/ft of retail
With the addition of the retail plus 6 stories of residential, the building could reach 288,000 sq/ft. By comparison the largest building in Mission Viejo today is Mission Medical Tower which is 5 stories tall and 119,497 square feet.
626 parking space garage
Can you imagine an additional 600+ cars coming and going on La Paz and Marguerite?! Thats an insane amount of traffic to add around an already VERy busy intersection.
3 years of construction
6 months of demolition with an additional 30 months minimum to construct this monster will add to pollution and congestion in and around our city core.
Negatively impacts MV forever
This proposal will forever change Mission Viejo and take away the charm we all moved here for. Additional noise, crime, traffic, and pollution will be the legacy of this project.
Six story, 74 foot tall building
At 74 feet, this will be 13 feet higher than the Mission Medical Tower on Crown Valley Parkway located in a commercial district.
234 apartments (36 per acre)
The proposed plans create the tallest and highest density development in Mission Viejo and places it in a residential neighborhood completely changing the character of the area.
We need your help
Join the fight and stay involved!
Sign the online petition
Stop the Monster Questionnaire
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Question #4
In 2021 the city bought Stein Mart at the cost of 11.9 million. Today, the building is still empty and is an eye sore to the community. Stein Mart was bought behind closed door negotiations by the city with a lack of transparency leaving many citizens of Mission Viejo distrustful.
If elected what your vision for the Stein Mart building and how would you win back the trust of the citizens?
Time Line
• 2017 March City Council approved the Core Area Vision Plan
• 2020 Aug 12 - Stein Mart files for bankruptcy
• 2021 Feb 23 - The City Council announces that it has started negotiations for the Stein Mart building
• 2021 March- September – Behind closed door negotiations to Buy Stein Mart take place.
• 2021 Sept 14 - City buys Stein Mart for 11.9 million using bonds and cutting programs to pay for this building.
*At the time “ The largest single cut eliminating the Kid’s Factory subsidy” which provided $482,000 annually for the city’s afterschool program for kids’ kindergarten through sixth grade.
Did the city offer at any time prior to buying Stein Mart an opportunity for its citizens to find out and speak on the matter ???????
Public comment was given September 14, 2021 , but it wasn’t a hearing or discussion. The Sept. 14 meeting was to tell the Citizens that there was a purchase agreement unveiled
In the city council meeting minutes/summary, that are kept and can be seen on the city web site, Citizen Gilbert says it best with his factual quote; "This plan was never presented to the residents”
OC Voice: https://voiceofoc.org/2021/09/mission-viejo-moves-ahead-with-stein-mart-purchase-locking-in-millions-of-bond-debt/
VOTE on NOVEMBER 8
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On Tuesday May 10th at a packed City Hall, the citizens of Mission Viejo won when The City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY 4-0 to deny Value Rocks Reality’s request for a mix zoning. The additional zoning was to be added to the owners application for the Garden Plaza Project. The denial in essence stops the building of a 83 foot High Rise Monster. While City councilmen Ed Sachs was sick and unable to attend, Kelley, Goodell, Raths, and Mayor Bucknum voted Yes to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny Value Rock Reality of the mix use zoning request.
At this time I like to thank all of you who supported the “Stop the Monster” campaign.
Whether you were one of the 5935 who signed the petition, placed a lawn sign on your lawn, canvassed, attended 4-corner demonstrations , packed City Hall meetings, handed out flyers or just told a friend.
It was you and all of you as the Citizens of Mission Viejo who won.
Today I am declaring this week “Stop The Monster” week. Wear your shirts proudly, keep your lawn signs and remember “it took a village to kick out a Monster”
Carlos Pianelli
StopThe Monster.org
WE WON!!!!
The Citizens of Mission Viejo Stopped the Monster!
Position / Role
The YARD SIGNS
are HERE!
We are excited to spread the word and raise community awareness with these yard signs.We are not charging to have one and availability is first come first serve. If you would like to have one for your yard, email Carlos at c7pianelli@aol.com to arrange a pick up time .
Position / Role
OUR FINAL RALLY
Saturday May 7 3pm-5pm
Join us for our final Four Corner Demonstration! While it appears that the City Council will not approve mixed use zoning, we need to keep the pressure on. As the say " it ain't over till it's over"! We cannot let the Garden Plaza Project get approved. Let your voices be seen & heard!
Meet at the intersection of La Paz and Marguerite. RSVP Your Participation to c7pianelli@aol.com
Bring a sign or use one of ours. Invite your friends to join us.
Position / Role
This is the BIG ONE
City Council Meeting
Tuesday 5/10 at 6pm
THE TIME IS HERE!!!The city will be voting on whether to approve mixed use zoning on May10. Meeting opens to the public at 6pm. This is our final chance to share our opinions on the zoning issue and Value Rock Realty's insane plan to build an 83 foot monstrosity of a building with our City Council and Mayor. ALL residents are welcome and encouraged to speak for 3 minutes. Sign up to speak at the beginning of the meeting.