Start a Voter Initiative

Unlike petitions, voter initiatives or referenda do have legal status. Not all states or localities have a mechanism for conducting voter referenda, but they can be very effective. Usually you will need to get 10-15% of the voters in your area to sign the petition in order to get something on the ballot.

Also, the rules for conducting these can be very strict. For example, there are very specific items that need to be on each signature page and that must be submitted when the signatures are turned in. If you do not follow every requirement exactly, your initiative may be disqualified.

To find out about voter initiatives, you can look on the internet, contact your state legislator, or contact a supportive city councilperson. Initiatives are sometimes governed by state law, sometimes by county law, and sometimes by city or town law, so there may not be a central place to check. And, of course, where you do the initiative may also depend on which body is doing the condemnation.

Property owners in Baltimore County successfully used a voter referendum to defeat a proposed condemnation. Seventy percent of voters voted against the plan.

Form a Community Development Corporation
In Pittsburgh, after forming a community group, the members decided to form an official Community Development Corporation (CDC). The CDC had the advantage of having a more official status. The CDC then proposed its own alternate development plan for the area—one that did not involve eminent domain.

For San Bernardino Information http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/rov/general_info/County_Initiative_Guide.pdf will be of help. You may also have to go to the Grand Terrace City Clerk for additional information. Recall of the Council is faster and information is located at this web page http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/rov/general_info/RECALLGUIDE010120011.pdf .