In a tentative ruling issued Tuesday, a judge sided with the SDSU West proposal in a legal complaint filed by a San Diego City Attorney.
SDSU West is a proposal slated for the November ballot that calls for redevelopment of the SDCCU Stadium site, which would be converted into a development that includes a new San Diego State University football stadium and surrounding amenities. It is expected to appear on the ballot along with SoccerCity, a competing proposal that calls for a new MLS stadium to anchor a larger development at the same site.
City Attorney Mara Elliott has asked the courts to review both proposals over concerns about their legality. In its argument against the two measures, the city is claiming that if either is approved by voters it will illegally interfere with administrative matters. On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp issued a tentative ruling in favor of SDSU West, arguing that the city had not presented a strong enough case to keep it off the ballot. More from the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp ruled against the city in a tentative ruling issued Tuesday on the proposed SDSU West initiative, saying the city’s arguments were not enough to stop it from being on the ballot. SoccerCity’s initiative will be reviewed by a different judge a week from this Friday.
“The court should shortcut the normal initiative procedure only where the invalidity of the proposed measure is clear beyond a doubt,” she wrote.
Although tentative rulings are rarely overturned, the city will argue its position in Superior Court on Thursday at 9 a.m.
The City Attorney’s Office said Wednesday it does not comment on tentative rulings. SoccerCity also declined to comment, and efforts to reach SDSU West spokespeople on the July 4th holiday were unsuccessful.
Backed by Friends of SDSU, SDSU West proposes the sale of 132 acres for the development, which includes a stadium that would be constructed with an initial capacity of 35,000 with the ability to host college football and professional soccer matches. It could also be expanded by 20,000 seats to house an NFL team. Should it and SoccerCity proceed to the November ballot, the one with the greatest share of the majority will move forward.
Rendering courtesy Populous and San Diego State University.
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