MALL ISSUE CHOICE OF CITY VOTERS SPECIAL ELECTION IS SET ON FUTURE OF AMERICANA.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - The City Council voted Tuesday night to call a special election Sept. 14 on the proposed $264 million Americana at Brand retail, housing and commercial complex.

The council's decision was in response to Glendale Galleria-led opposition to the project and a petition drive calling for the referendum.

The Glendale City Council voted four to one Tuesday, with Councilman Frank Quintero dissenting, to hold an election as soon as possible.

Mayor Bob Yousefian joined the meeting via conference call.

``If this measure is defeated, litigation will go away and we can save in legal fees, so I don't think the economics of the election is at issue,'' Councilman Rafi Manoukian said.

So far, the city has allocated $300,000 to pay for legal fees related to the lawsuit filed by Glendale Galleria owner General Growth, challenging the proposed Americana center's environmental impact report.

``For me, setting the election as soon as possible is important and to have a discourse in the community just on this issue,'' Manoukian said.

Putting the issue of the Americana at Brand project before voters at a special election would cost the city $168,700.

Consolidating the election with the Nov. 2 general statewide election would have cost $130,000 - an amount the Glendale Galleria offered to pay.

The City Council vote came the day the city received word from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office that the three referendum petitions challenging zoning ordinances have the required signatures to be placed on the ballot.

General Growth bankrolled the petition drive that began in late April, shortly after the City Council approved zoning ordinances for the center in downtown Glendale adjacent to the Galleria.

Some of the nearly 50 speakers urged the council to consolidate the special election with the general election, which historically has a higher voter turnout and would cost the city less.

``I am opposed to a special election. I vote for democracy. Let's have the most people express themselves, not the few elitists,'' said Glendale resident Harry Zavos.

But others maintained that a special election would draw voters who are informed about the project and bring about a quick resolution to the issue.

``You have knowledgeable people going to the poll. You will have quality people, not just a whole lot of people who don't know what they're talking about,'' said resident and business owner Shirley Darling. ``I urge you to have the election as soon as possible.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com