The smiling man cradles money-stuffed bags, holding cash in his right hand and a "NOT FOR YOU!" sign in his left.

The cartoon figure is meant to represent the Pinnacle Development Group in an advertisement by Santa Paulans for Smart Growth, urging residents to vote "no" Tuesday on Measure A7 and providing a list of negative opinions about it.

Supporters of the ballot measure send a different message.

"Santa Paulans for Quality Growth. Citizen Sponsored Community Driven," says one piece of literature, which lists "100 acres of public recreational facilities" for the "entire community," among other benefits they foresee from A7.

The literature represents the months-long debate between supporters and opponents of a measure that would amend Santa Paula's general plan.

The amendment would include moving the city urban restriction boundary to include Adams Canyon and allowing development of up to 495 homes there. A hotel and golf course are also proposed.

Development in the canyon has been an issue since at least 2002, and some say Tuesday's election could be the last chance for Santa Paula to extend its urban restriction boundary line to include the approximately 6,500-acre canyon.

The city would not have official control of the canyon until it is annexed, but moving the urban restriction boundary is a step that must take place before that is possible, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said.

Pinnacle, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., has plans to develop 34 ranch homes under the county's jurisdiction in the canyon.

Pinnacle officials said their work has been going on for about a year with the county, and they said they believe that the company is two to six months away from receiving a tentative tract map for the project.

If Pinnacle receives the map and A7 passes, the company would have a window of time to consider developing the project under Santa Paula's jurisdiction, said Greg Boyd, project manager for Pinnacle.

He said it would "absolutely" be the last time that Pinnacle would be interested in working with the city on the development.

Even if the measure passes, Boyd added, the company still will consider developing ranch homes in case plans do not work out with the city.

For lifelong Santa Paula resident Andrew F. Castaneda, voting yes is vital. Castaneda, who lives on the city's east side, said that his neighborhood is too dense and that the city needs more open space like the recreational area offered under the measure.

Community motivation

The density "really deteriorates the quality of life," said Castaneda, who has been walking precincts and writing letters on behalf of A7, which he said would boost the local economy. "That motivated me to get involved and to bringing higher-quality development into the city so that we can translate that into a better economic-based downtown."

Pinnacle wants to allot at least 440 lots for $3 million-plus custom homes, President and CEO John Lang said. The company also wants to construct a hotel and golf course.

The measure mandates that 100 acres be dedicated to facilities including soccer and football fields and tennis courts, which proponents of A7 say the city needs.

The initiative also demands right of way for a road to connect Fagan and Adams canyons to ease potential traffic woes.

It requires that 200 acres be set aside for public open space and trail systems, as well as 40 acres for a school.

Fees to city, schools

Supporters urge residents to vote yes because more than $20 million combined would come to the city in developer impact fees and school fees.

Developer fees would be paid during construction, and build-out could take 20 years.

"Adams Canyon by itself is not going to be the salvation of Santa Paula," said Bob Gonzales, a leading proponent, adding that development in the canyon would bring the quickest benefits compared to other development proposals.

Said his campaign partner, Steve Smead: "A lot of people didn't really understand the huge amount of tax dollars that will be represented in this project."

The measure's opponents, which include the local groups Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources and Santa Paulans for Smart Growth, question many aspects of the development.

Sprawl, water supply at issue

They believe that it will create sprawl, forcing people to drive to and from various locations in the development because they will be beyond walking distance.

They argue that there is not enough water for a golf course, but A7's supporters contend that reclaimed water would be used.

Opponents also say building a hotel and golf course probably will not be feasible.

"All of the financial projections that they have given us are based on untested and unreviewed assumptions," said Jim Procter, an opponent who is part of SOAR's committee against A7 and Santa Paulans for Smart Growth. "So therefore, they're numbers that have been picked out of thin air. They have no basis on reality."

Another opponent, Chuck Spink, said he does not like the idea of having high-end homes developed.

"These projects do not build community," he said. "This is a project that will only create more divisions, socio-economic divisions in the town."

One of the opposition's main disagreements is with the estimate of annual tax revenue to the city because of the development.

Last year, about $20 million in annual tax revenue was estimated, but this year, the estimate was lowered to about $5 million.

Roy Payne, a consultant who calculated the estimate for Pinnacle, has conceded that he made an incorrect estimate due to an error in a formula.

"The opposition loves to use that. The reality is a mistake was made," Smead said, adding that he did not believe the $20 million figure was used to be misleading.

In 2002, city voters rejected Measure F, which would have let Pinnacle develop up to 2,250 homes.

Last year, voters rejected Measure Y, which had provisions similar to those in A7. It failed by 88 votes.

The difference with this year's measure is Santa Paulans for Quality Growth is pushing it and Pinnacle has not been involved.