1998:

Volunteers gather 4,600 signatures to challenge the Fanita Ranch project and place the Santee Traffic Relief Act of 1998 (Prop. AA) on the ballot.

1999:

Volunteers gather 9,000 signatures within 3 weeks carrying 60 pound petitions to challenge City Council approval of a 2,988 unit development on Fanita Ranch. The petition is successfully defended in court leading to the defeat of Prop's A, B, & C with an overwhelming 65% margin.

Santee voters say `No!' to Fanita Ranch | Massive project soundly defeated


Kristen Green
STAFF WRITER

10-Nov-1999 Wednesday

SANTEE -- Opponents of Fanita Ranch blocked the controversial 2,988-home development with an overwhelming 65 percent of the vote last night, halting
a project they believed would clog roads, create visual blight and lower property values.

Measures A and B, which asked voters whether they supported the City Council's amendment of the general plan and its approval last May of the development, both failed...

Santee residents override council | Voters veto massive Fanita Ranch project

Kristen Green
STAFF WRITER

11-Nov-1999 Thursday

SANTEE -- When voters soundly rejected the Fanita Ranch project, one thing was clear: They didn't share the City Council's vision for the sprawling property.

The 2,988-home development that the council approved in May isn't what residents wanted. And they said so in droves Tuesday, with a 42 percent turnout and a 2-to-1 vote against the project.

Some residents said they were outraged that four of the five councilmembers would support a development of this magnitude after all the public testimony they heard against the project. Councilman Jim Bartell cast the lone dissenting vote...

"What does the Fanita Ranch vote mean for “Smart Growth in San Diego?"

"Fanita Ranch: Open Space or Urban Sprawl...A conversation with Van Collinsworth"