Council Rejects Sports Arena Referendum

A voters referendum has, for now, been rejected by the Burbank City Council as a condition for a possible sports arena in the city.

“We’re not going to be doing anything on a sports arena anytime soon,” Councilwoman Susan Spanos said. “I believe this discussion is premature by a few years.”

Although Spanos said she might eventually want a voter referendum on a stadium, she would not support Councilman Dave Golonski’s resolution to add a ballot measure to the usual approval process for stadium project.

The resolution failed 4-1 Tuesday, with only Golonski supporting it.

“I think that our process is a good one, provided that the elected officials will listen,” Vice Mayor Bill Wiggins said, pointing out that the public has four opportunities to comment on such a development before it gets city approval.

Golonski argued for a ballot referendum because of the enormous impact that a stadium would have on Burbank.

“In my mind, that sends a very clear message that if you want to build a stadium in the city of Burbank, you have to be community-friendly,” Golonski said.

Spanos has raised objections to a sports arena in the past because of the crowds, crime and other problems that it could bring.

A sports arena, possibly to be used by the Los Angeles Clippers, has been discussed as a possible occupant of a 100-acre site vacated by Lockheed Corp., which had pulled its operations out of Burbank and moved to Palmdale and Marietta, Ga.

But other options, including a shopping center, have also been mentioned for the site, which has been vacant since late 1991. No decision has been made on purchase of the property, which is still owned by Lockheed, or how it would be used.