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Judge Rejects New Vote For 49ers Santa Clara Stadium

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The financing deal to build a football stadium for the 49ers in Santa Clara will not go before city residents for a vote, a judge ruled on Monday.

The decision by Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Peter Kirwan means construction on the $850 million project can start this summer, said Robin Johansen, an attorney for the 49ers.

"It's so important to be able to go forward with these agreements, particularly with that March 20 closing date on the financing," she said.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

The team sued to block the referendum by the group opposed to the stadium, Santa Clara Plays Fair, which claimed the terms of that financing deal were different than what was outlined in the Measure J ballot measure approved by voters in 2010.

"They did not vote on $850 million worth of debt. And they did not vote to give the 49ers free parking, to give the 49ers free this and free that," said spokeswoman Deborah Bress.

Kirwan said the city council's actions were administrative decisions not subject to a popular vote that were undertaken to carry out the will of voters expressed by the passage of Measure J.

Santa Clara Plays Fair has not decided whether it will appeal the ruling.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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