A special election conducted this week in Glendale will impact the development of a $1.2 billion resort project. With only one proposition passing, it’s left the city wondering how to proceed.
Glendale voters rejected Proposition 401, but approved Proposition 402 — sending mixed signals on the future of VAI Resort.
The ballot measure that failed would’ve supported changing the city’s general plan to rezone 10 acres of land for the resort’s parking and corporate offices. But the other measure that passed will change the land’s zoning rules for commercial development.
A spokesperson for the campaign in support of the measures said there’s “nothing definitive to say” about what the split decision means moving forward, and a city official said they’re waiting on the city attorney to issue an opinion on what effect the results will have on VAI Resort.
More than 27,000 voters turned out, after a grassroots campaign raised concerns about fee waivers and previous zoning tied to the project.
Opponents, including the labor group Worker Power, say the vote shows Glendale residents want more say in how the city develops. The group said more than 5,000 Glendale voters signed its petition to place the propositions on the ballot.
“Glendale residents made it clear that they didn’t like the idea of changing the land’s zoning from parks and open space to zoning that would allow an office building and parking lot,” Brendan Walsh, executive director of Worker Power, said in a statement.
Supporters of the development, like VAI Resort CEO Grant Fisher, say the outcome is still a step forward.
“Glendale residents voted to support the VAI resort rezoning. This result is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to bringing new jobs and new tax revenues to the City of Glendale,” Fisher said in a statement.
The resort’s backers say the project could bring more than 2,000 jobs and $2.2 billion in tax revenue.
Lauren Tolmachoff, Glendale’s vice mayor, told KJZZ News last week the resort’s opening could be delayed by several months if both propositions didn’t pass.
“I hope Glendale residents, and I believe that they are, smart enough to understand that this was a 7-0 vote by the council; you know, they’ve entrusted us to make these decisions," she said.
Construction on parts of the resort will still move forward, but Worker Power said this vote is just the beginning of a broader push for more equitable and sustainable development.
