SABATINO TO ROLL BACK CBD

The ballots are not counted based on one vote per property owner. Instead, they are weighted based on how much of an assessment a property owner would pay. The bigger the assessment, the more weight given to the vote. The assessments are based on how much property – as measured by lot size, building square footage and how much property fronts the street – someone owns.

The ballots are counted that way because of Proposition 218, a 1996 statewide initiative that requires property owners’ consent for raising certain fees and assessments. The boundaries for the proposed district encompass Seventh Street to Needham Street-Downey Avenue and G Street to L Street. All property owners within the district would pay the annual assessment, including government and nonprofits.