Opinion ID: 2610007
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Third Is the ordinance in question subject to referendum proceedings?

Text: Yes. The ordinance was pleaded in full in the petition for writ of mandate. (12) The power of referendum may be invoked only with respect to matters which are strictly legislative in character ( Johnston v. City of Claremont (1958) 49 Cal.2d 826, 834 [323 P.2d 71]). It may not be invoked with regard to those matters which are strictly executive or administrative. ( Housing Authority v. Superior Court (1950) 35 Cal.2d 550, 557 [219 P.2d 457].) This type of ordinance has generally been held to be legislative. (See Hopping v. Council of City of Richmond (1915) 170 Cal. 605, 613-614 [150 P. 977].) (13) The original ordinance authorized the establishment of Marincello as a planned community. The referendum was sought against a subsequent ordinance for the construction of an access road. Intervenors argue that this ordinance was passed merely for the purpose of giving effect to the previously declared legislative policy and was administrative, not legislative. Roadways are of sufficient public interest and concern to weight the scales in favor of construing this ordinance as being legislative and to be well within the referendum powers reserved by the people. It is not necessary to here decide whether the court should have heard intervenors' objections to signatures which had been allowed by the clerk. That issue was removed from the trial by stipulation, not to be heard unless the petition was found to have sufficient signatures to validate it. It was not so found. Judgment affirmed.