San Diego’s city attorney Mara Elliott is disappointed with Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp’s tentative ruling on her petition to remove the SDSU West Measure from the November Ballot.
That Initiative asks the city to sell about 130 acres of Mission Valley Stadium land so SDSU can build an auxiliary campus. The project would include housing, commercial space, a river park and a sports stadium.
Elliott argued the measure violated the city charter, state law and the state education code.
“There is no precedent for a citizen’s initiative to be used to force a municipality to sell its land. There’s nothing on the books,” said Elliott.
The judge was not convinced the issues needed to be decided before voters get a chance to weigh in at the ballot box.
The city and SDSU West attorneys were in court Thursday giving the judge additional testimony and arguments to consider. Trapp is expected to issue a final ruling soon.
Meanwhile, city officials are also challenging the legality of the SoccerCity Initiative. That measure seeks to redevelop the same Mission Valley Stadium site to lure a Major League Soccer franchise to San Diego.
The project includes housing, commercial space, a sports stadium and river park.
Elliott also wants that measure removed from the ballot for conflicting with the city charter and state law.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday, June 13th.
