One of the biggest issues in Claremont in recent years was the affordable housing project on Base Line Road.
Dozens upon dozens of residents came out against the project, mostly citing studies that say children living near freeways can develop serious health problems from the air pollution.
But when the city council on Tuesday night approved the sale of that land to a private residential developer, there was one lone voice in the audience who addressed the council.
Former city council candidate Opanyi Nasiali said, "I still want to be on the record as saying that the city should not be allowing any new residential developments adjacent to the freeway."
And what about the other residents and groups who came out so fiercely against the affordable housing project being built in their neighborhood? The ones who denied being NIMBYs (not in my backyard) and were only concerned about the welfare of children who would end up living there?
At the March 23 council meeting, Joseph O'Toole chimed in. His group, Citizens for the American Dream, strongly opposed the affordable housing project and relied upon the freeway pollution argument.
"I agree to the market-priced housing on the area next to the strawberry patch," O'Toole said. "We went through many years of fighting [the affordable housing project] and we're very happy with market-based housing."
I guess his argument goes that poor people don't have a choice on where to live and would be stuck living by the freeway. But people with money are free to live where they want and can choose to buy a home by the freeway at their own risk.
But the truth is that all children, rich or poor, do not have a choice on where they live. Their parents are the ones who ultimately make those decisions. And those studies cited by Citizens for the American Dream and others show that children up to the age of 18 and the elderly are the ones most likely to be harmed by freeway pollution.
So if O'Toole and other former opponents of the affordable housing project were genuinely concerned about children's health, they would not support any residential development along freeways in Claremont.
The fact that O'Toole and other former opponents are now supporting "market-based housing" just screams of hypocrisy to me.
Showing posts with label affordable housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label affordable housing. Show all posts
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
City council to discuss property sales
The city council will meet tonight for its first of 2 April meetings. To begin the meeting, the council has a closed session hearing on negotiations with the city employee unions.
During the open session beginning at 6:30 p.m., the council will be asked to approved the sale of Redevelopment Agency-owned land at Base Line Road and Towne Avenue. The 2.66 acres of land was purchased back in 2005/06 to build an affordable housing project.
If the sale goes through, the agency will be losing money on the property to the tune of $210,000. It was purchased for $1.96 million and the proposed sale prices is $1.75 million.
The proposed buyer is City Ventures, a residential developer based in Los Angeles.
Another item on the agenda centers around the sale of land at the Bernard Field Station after an appeal was filed on the approval of parcel maps there.
On March 2, the Planning Commission approved the creation of 4 parcel maps on 11.45 acres of the property. Owner Harvey Mudd College plans to sell half of the property to Claremont Graduate University.
Michael Keenan filed the appeal on the premise that the zoning and land use designations are inconsistent and inappropriate.
Harvey Mudd has announced in the past their intention to build a parking lot on the property, however the staff report states that neither HMC or CGU "has any development plans at this time."
The meeting takes place at the city council chambers at city hall. Residents can also watch the meetings live here.
During the open session beginning at 6:30 p.m., the council will be asked to approved the sale of Redevelopment Agency-owned land at Base Line Road and Towne Avenue. The 2.66 acres of land was purchased back in 2005/06 to build an affordable housing project.
If the sale goes through, the agency will be losing money on the property to the tune of $210,000. It was purchased for $1.96 million and the proposed sale prices is $1.75 million.
The proposed buyer is City Ventures, a residential developer based in Los Angeles.
Another item on the agenda centers around the sale of land at the Bernard Field Station after an appeal was filed on the approval of parcel maps there.
On March 2, the Planning Commission approved the creation of 4 parcel maps on 11.45 acres of the property. Owner Harvey Mudd College plans to sell half of the property to Claremont Graduate University.
Michael Keenan filed the appeal on the premise that the zoning and land use designations are inconsistent and inappropriate.
Harvey Mudd has announced in the past their intention to build a parking lot on the property, however the staff report states that neither HMC or CGU "has any development plans at this time."
The meeting takes place at the city council chambers at city hall. Residents can also watch the meetings live here.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Will south Claremont get its grocery store?
A decision at tonight's city council meeting could lay the groundwork for a new grocery store in south Claremont.
The city is proposing a new ordinance to allow drive-through banks and pharmacies in 4 specific areas around the city in order to attract new businesses to Claremont. The ordinance comes on the heels of a request by Walgreens Pharmacy to open a location at the Peppertree Square shopping center at Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway. Walgreens has said they will only open a location if they could have a drive-through.
City officials are pushing for the drive-through ordinance because of the opportunity to get a Fresh and Easy Market at Peppertree Square. The grocery store has agreed to open a location at the struggling shopping center contingent upon a Walgreens opening there too.
Expect several south Claremont residents attending the meeting to sway the council in favor of adopting the ordinance. Since Albertsons closed in early 2007, residents in the southern part of town have complained about long drives up to Foothill Boulevard to get their grocery shopping done.
Some will likely be on hand to urge the council not to adopt the ordinance, claiming the city compromising its values to the will of large corporations.
Also on the agenda is an amendment to the city’s Development and Disposition Agreement with Jamboree Housing Corporation, the developer of the proposed affordable housing project on College Avenue. The city is expecting to get $2,750,000 from Los Angeles County to help build the project.
The open session meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall. Residents can also view the council meetings live online by visiting the city website.
The city is proposing a new ordinance to allow drive-through banks and pharmacies in 4 specific areas around the city in order to attract new businesses to Claremont. The ordinance comes on the heels of a request by Walgreens Pharmacy to open a location at the Peppertree Square shopping center at Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway. Walgreens has said they will only open a location if they could have a drive-through.
City officials are pushing for the drive-through ordinance because of the opportunity to get a Fresh and Easy Market at Peppertree Square. The grocery store has agreed to open a location at the struggling shopping center contingent upon a Walgreens opening there too.
Expect several south Claremont residents attending the meeting to sway the council in favor of adopting the ordinance. Since Albertsons closed in early 2007, residents in the southern part of town have complained about long drives up to Foothill Boulevard to get their grocery shopping done.
Some will likely be on hand to urge the council not to adopt the ordinance, claiming the city compromising its values to the will of large corporations.
Also on the agenda is an amendment to the city’s Development and Disposition Agreement with Jamboree Housing Corporation, the developer of the proposed affordable housing project on College Avenue. The city is expecting to get $2,750,000 from Los Angeles County to help build the project.
The open session meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall. Residents can also view the council meetings live online by visiting the city website.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Affordable housing site review
The Architectural Commission will meet tonight to review the site plan for the affordable housing project on College Avenue.
Here's the staff report. The meeting begin at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.
The city also conducted a traffic impact analysis for the project. The document, viewable on the city's website, concludes that "there are no significant project impacts, and no mitigation measures are required." Some points worth noting:
"Vehicles would not experience significant delays due to trains crossing College Avenue."
"Pedestrians can safely cross College Avenue to/from Oakmont Elementary School and College Park according to the pedestrian gap surveys."
"... the addition of project traffic would not impact pedestrian connectivity or neighboring streets."
"... the existing traffic signal at College Avenue/Kirkwood Avenue does not need to be relocated to College Avenue/Green Street."
Here's the staff report. The meeting begin at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.
The city also conducted a traffic impact analysis for the project. The document, viewable on the city's website, concludes that "there are no significant project impacts, and no mitigation measures are required." Some points worth noting:
"Vehicles would not experience significant delays due to trains crossing College Avenue."
"Pedestrians can safely cross College Avenue to/from Oakmont Elementary School and College Park according to the pedestrian gap surveys."
"... the addition of project traffic would not impact pedestrian connectivity or neighboring streets."
"... the existing traffic signal at College Avenue/Kirkwood Avenue does not need to be relocated to College Avenue/Green Street."
Friday, June 5, 2009
The council's unique decision making process
It was quite a pathetic display in the civic process by the Claremont city council tonight. Not because of the decision they eventually came to, but the process they used to arrive there.
The council had a special meeting tonight to consider changes to the affordable housing project on College Avenue. The council had 2 options to consider.
Option one was to leave the project at 45 units for families and 30 units for seniors. Option 2 would lower the density by taking out some family units and replacing them with the smaller senior units.
I’ve never seen a race to make a motion before, but that’s exactly what happened. The first to make a motion wins.
Being the first councilmember to make comments after hearing from the public, Sam Pedroza won the race and his motion carried. The motion carried unanimously, even though 3 out of 5 council members were in favor of the alternative.
Pedroza was in such a hurry to make his motion so he could win the race that he didn’t even bother to share his thoughts about why he’s making the motion or hear what his colleagues had to say.
After a request from Councilmember Peter Yao, he did make some comments. In the name of compromise with area residents, Pedroza pushed for a project with less density and less family housing units.
The project will now have 36 family housing units rather than the 45 that were originally planned. The trade off was an increase of 10 senior housing units, upping the number to 40 from the original 30.
Yao, Mayor Pro Tem Linda Elderkin and Councilmember Larry Schroeder all wanted to keep the project in its original form. But Elderkin seemed more concerned with having consensus on the council than voting for her beliefs. When it came down to the vote, Yao and Schroeder followed suit.
One thing fiscally prudent mayor Corey Calaycay did not mention is that the changes he supported will cost the city an additional $485,000. After squabbling with Yao about Pedroza’s motion, Calaycay threatened to kill any consensus if the motion on the floor was changed.
So in summary, the city council decided to squeeze 9 low income families out of Claremont and pay half a million bucks to do it.
On a positive note; they did it by unanimous decision, even though a majority wanted no changes at all. Good work council.
The council had a special meeting tonight to consider changes to the affordable housing project on College Avenue. The council had 2 options to consider.
Option one was to leave the project at 45 units for families and 30 units for seniors. Option 2 would lower the density by taking out some family units and replacing them with the smaller senior units.
I’ve never seen a race to make a motion before, but that’s exactly what happened. The first to make a motion wins.
Being the first councilmember to make comments after hearing from the public, Sam Pedroza won the race and his motion carried. The motion carried unanimously, even though 3 out of 5 council members were in favor of the alternative.
Pedroza was in such a hurry to make his motion so he could win the race that he didn’t even bother to share his thoughts about why he’s making the motion or hear what his colleagues had to say.
After a request from Councilmember Peter Yao, he did make some comments. In the name of compromise with area residents, Pedroza pushed for a project with less density and less family housing units.
The project will now have 36 family housing units rather than the 45 that were originally planned. The trade off was an increase of 10 senior housing units, upping the number to 40 from the original 30.
Yao, Mayor Pro Tem Linda Elderkin and Councilmember Larry Schroeder all wanted to keep the project in its original form. But Elderkin seemed more concerned with having consensus on the council than voting for her beliefs. When it came down to the vote, Yao and Schroeder followed suit.
One thing fiscally prudent mayor Corey Calaycay did not mention is that the changes he supported will cost the city an additional $485,000. After squabbling with Yao about Pedroza’s motion, Calaycay threatened to kill any consensus if the motion on the floor was changed.
So in summary, the city council decided to squeeze 9 low income families out of Claremont and pay half a million bucks to do it.
On a positive note; they did it by unanimous decision, even though a majority wanted no changes at all. Good work council.
Council meets on affordable housing tonight
The city council will meet tonight to discuss potential changes to the affordable housing project on College Avenue.
Due to pressure from neighbors about the project's density, staff is considering lowering the number of family units from 45 to 36 and increasing the number of senior units from 30 to 40.
It appears the area residents would prefer low income seniors rather than low income families living in their neighborhood.
City staff estimates the proposed change would cost the city an additional $485,000, which likely would need to come out of the city's General Fund.
The city is on a tight timetable with this project as the deadline application for its main funding source is approaching on June 9. Due to this strict time line, a common complaint is that the project is "being shoved down our throats."
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.
Due to pressure from neighbors about the project's density, staff is considering lowering the number of family units from 45 to 36 and increasing the number of senior units from 30 to 40.
It appears the area residents would prefer low income seniors rather than low income families living in their neighborhood.
City staff estimates the proposed change would cost the city an additional $485,000, which likely would need to come out of the city's General Fund.
The city is on a tight timetable with this project as the deadline application for its main funding source is approaching on June 9. Due to this strict time line, a common complaint is that the project is "being shoved down our throats."
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Affordable housing meeting tonight
A neighborhood meeting will be held at Oakmont Elementary School tonight to discuss the proposed affordable housing project at 111 S. College Ave.
Area residents and anyone in town interested in affordable housing are invited to attend. The meeting will be led by City Housing Manager Brian Desatnik, a representative from developer Jamboree Housing Corporation and other city staff.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Oakmont is located at 120 W. Green St.
Area residents and anyone in town interested in affordable housing are invited to attend. The meeting will be led by City Housing Manager Brian Desatnik, a representative from developer Jamboree Housing Corporation and other city staff.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Oakmont is located at 120 W. Green St.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Claremont NIMBYism
It was another marathon city council meeting. Adjournment was not until nearly 1 a.m. That tends to happen whenever affordable housing is on the agenda as was the case last night.
The city will enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with Jamboree Housing Corporation to build a project at the old COURIER site. The city wants 75 units of mix senior and family housing at the 3-acre site.
There were over 20 speakers who attended to address the council, and plenty of NIMBYs (not in my back yard) among them. One speaker even said, "Your projects are great perhaps, but not in my back yard."
But there was a stark difference between the NIMBYs at last night's meeting and those opposing the project on Base Line Road. Residents on Green Street, College Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood for the most part raised legitimate concerns about parking, traffic and density that the project will bring to their neighborhood.
Many of the same people said they support affordable housing and want to successfully integrate the project there.
There were no statements like "those (poor) people" will bring in crime and destroy the value of our properties. That was a common argument among the Base Line area NIMBYs before the USC freeway pollution study came out.
The healthier attitude among the new neighbors towards affordable housing bodes well for the project's future success. There are still some serious concerns to be ironed out and hopefully the city will do all it can to address them.
The city will enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with Jamboree Housing Corporation to build a project at the old COURIER site. The city wants 75 units of mix senior and family housing at the 3-acre site.
There were over 20 speakers who attended to address the council, and plenty of NIMBYs (not in my back yard) among them. One speaker even said, "Your projects are great perhaps, but not in my back yard."
But there was a stark difference between the NIMBYs at last night's meeting and those opposing the project on Base Line Road. Residents on Green Street, College Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood for the most part raised legitimate concerns about parking, traffic and density that the project will bring to their neighborhood.
Many of the same people said they support affordable housing and want to successfully integrate the project there.
There were no statements like "those (poor) people" will bring in crime and destroy the value of our properties. That was a common argument among the Base Line area NIMBYs before the USC freeway pollution study came out.
The healthier attitude among the new neighbors towards affordable housing bodes well for the project's future success. There are still some serious concerns to be ironed out and hopefully the city will do all it can to address them.
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