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Category Archives: Redevelopment

Brea gets a Buffalo Wild Wings, after NIMBYs chases them out of Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Business, Civic Affairs, Development, Neighborhood Associations, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 74 Comments

The world’s largest Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant and sports bar opened to the public at 260 S. Brea Blvd. in Brea, on Monday, May 23.  Backed by local investors including several Southern California baseball and football players, the new $5 million restaurant is the latest redevelopment effort for downtown Brea by local business owner and former sports agent, Dwight Manley, who grew up in the town, according to Restaurant News.

Did you know that a Buffalo Wild Wings was going to open up in Santa Ana, over by Orchard Hardware on 17th and Tustin, back in 2008?  That didn’t work out though as a handful of NIMBY residents in the northeastern part of Santa Ana protested the establishment’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP.)  Eventually the owners of the proposed restaurant cleared out of town, abandoning all hope of ever being able to open for business here in Santa Ana.

Here is what the NIMBYs’ leader, Mike Tardif, posted about their protest on the Orange Juice blog article about the ill-fated Santa Ana Buffalo Wild Wings:

Dear Mayor Pulido and Members of the Santa Ana City Council:

We hereby request that the City Council call a public hearing concerning the alcohol (ABC) Conditional Use Permit granted to Buffalo Wild Wings, by the Planning Commission, for on-site sale of alcoholic beverages.

The residents of Parkwood, Meredith and Portola neighborhoods are very concerned that the negative effects of this “sports bar” on their neighborhoods have not been properly taken into consideration.

Respectfully submitted by,

Tom Childress
Kathy Ingersoll
Lee Ingersoll
Brad Day, Board Member Meredith/Parkwood HOA
Andy Martinez
Emmy Martinez
George R. Staff
Chrissy Staff
Rick Legowski
Peggy Legowski
Mike Tardif
Mercedes Tardif
Bridget Tardif
Tony Diaz
Jose Diaz
Carolyn Diaz
Muriel McCormick
Celesta Severtsen
Michael Severtsen
Jimmy Kabaian
Thomas Accongio
Nadine Accongio
Maria Cabrera
Milo Van Beck

These people are probably proud of themselves.  But what did they accomplish?  They cost our city jobs and tax revenue.  The newspapers are praising the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Brea today – but it should have been ours, here in Santa Ana, were it not for the selfish actions of a handful of NIMBYs.  What a shame.

So do you want to know what you missed out on fellow Santa Ana resident?  Here’s a few comments about the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Brea, from their Yelp page:

  • “This place is definitely the place to be for a while… it’s bringin in a lot of foot traffic into downtown Brea.”
  • “This place was recently opened in Downtown Brea…must say it is in a prime spot…there was a lot of people there for some good food and of course the games on TV.”
  • The restaurant overall is huge. There are TV screens on every walls. I will say that this place is a cool place to “hang out, watch a game, eat some wings, and drink some beers.”
  • “Inside is fantastic. The downtown Brea area is a void of sports viewing bars. Literally no good place to watch a game or two…until now.”
  • “LOVE this place! Incredible wings and flavors, like fifty different TVs (even have ones in the bathrooms lol), huge capacity, poker/trivia competitions, crazy wild and fun atmosphere and much more all for reasonable pricing as well.”
  • “The place itself is awesome – TV’s on every wall, all playing sports; the ambience upstairs is totally cool with the open deck and fire/water fountain upstairs.  Again, the place itself is 5 stars.”
  • “All in all a great experience…..Would definitely come again.”

Yep.  We could have had a Buffalo Wild Wings in Santa Ana.  But the NIMBYs killed it…and now it is in Brea instead.  Go figure.

Solorio’s Bill to keep the OC Fairgrounds passes the Assembly

Posted on by Posted in california, Costa Mesa, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 1 Comment

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2011

For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – Office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

Bill to Keep OC Fairgrounds in Public Hands Passes the Assembly

Vote Sends Strong Message to Governor and Courts

SACRAMENTO – State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) presented to his colleagues on the Assembly Floor AB 35, a bill that could offer an alternative to the state other than selling the Orange County Fairgrounds to a private company. After debate, the measure passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 62 to 3.

“Total OC Fair revenues from 2005 to 2010 were more than $168 million, and the Orange County Fair Board says they are willing to share with the state,” Assemblyman Solorio explained. “Why sell an asset for a one-time revenue boost when the fair could provide an ongoing annual revenue stream to the state and keep our fairgrounds in public hands?”

AB 35 simply states that in addition to considering a sale of the fairground property, the state could also have the option of considering a revenue-sharing agreement if it generates at least $100 million over the course of 40 years. Since July 2009, when the Legislature passed AB 4X 22 authorizing the Department of General Services (DGS) to sell the Orange County Fairgrounds, more than 50,000 people signed petitions and postcards opposing the sale, and 26 cities (including Costa Mesa) and the Orange County Board of Supervisors passed resolutions against it.

The 2009 legislation does not mandate a sale, and DGS, currently entertaining a bid from Facilities Management West, can undo a tentative agreement at any time prior to the close of escrow. To complicate matters, the Facilities Management West deal is being held up in the Fourth District Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals will decide if the sale process was done properly and according to state law.

“The Governor and the Legislature really need to find solutions to save our fairs throughout the state,” says Assemblyman Solorio. “I’m proud my colleagues are supporting our efforts to provide the Governor with more options to save the Orange County Fair, and are also talking about the importance of the statewide fair network.”

The OC Fairgrounds is a local economic engine in Orange County and the City of Costa Mesa. In 2010, more than $2.8 million was generated in sales tax revenue from the five-week annual fair, and the Orange County Market Place, a weekend open-air market on the property, has paid the state more than $110 million in rent in the last 42 years. Last year’s annual fair enjoyed more than one million visitors, generated more than $75 million of additional income and created the equivalent of 2,112 jobs.

AB 35 now heads to the Senate for debate.

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio is the Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee and also serves on the Assembly Appropriations and Transportation committees. He represents the Sixty-Ninth Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. For more information about Assemblyman Solorio, visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.

City of Santa Ana holding a meeting regarding the Sexlinger Orchard on June 1

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Nature, Neighborhood Associations, Politics, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 10 Comments

The message below is from “Save our Orchard:”

There will be an important public meeting regarding the 24-house development project proposed by TAVA Development Company on the five acre Sexlinger orange orchard site.

The city of Santa Ana Planning and Building Agency is holding a “Scoping Meeting”

WHEN: Wednesday, JUNE 1, at 6:00pm

WHERE: John Muir Fundamental School — 1951 N. Mabury, Santa Ana.

You will hear about this project and important dates and deadlines. You can also have your questions and concerns addressed.

At this meeting you will have the opportunity to get on the city’s mailing list for all mailings regarding this project.

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND! It is crucial that we let the city know how we feel about this project at every possible opportunity.

I apologize here for any misspelling of names. Please let me know of any corrections that need to be made.

Thank you so much for your support.

—
Jeannie Gillett
defendourorchard@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/saveourorchard

“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.” Edward Abbey

Group that sued Santa Ana now trying to sell city’s salvage materials

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Historical, Housing, Redevelopment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society

Press Release

Architectural Salvage Materials Available RIGHT NOW!

May 23, 2011: As part of a recent settlement agreement with the City concerning certain vintage properties in the Lacy Neighborhood, Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is conducting emergency architectural salvage over the next week. Because of time and storage limitations we are offering cut-rate prices on salvage items to local individuals (no dealers please) who can come to the site and haul away items as they are pulled out. We want to keep these items in the hands of Orange County residents if at all possible!

Our salvage must be completed by May 30th, so this is a great opportunity for those of you engaged in (or contemplating) remodeling or restoration. The structures being salvaged range from 1890s to 1930s and contain beautiful hardwood. Items are in various conditions, some pristine, some with minor damage, and all are sold “as is”.

Some of the many items include:doors and surrounds (some gumwood)windows (casement and double hung)claw foot tubs (with and without feet)corner bathroom sinks and full country kitchen sinksbuilt in dining room and kitchen cabinetsMurphy beds (with complete hardware, some with doors)California coolers and shelvesmirrored medicine cabinetsbuilt in window seatspicture rail, baseboards, chair railsmall gas stovesmail slotsVictorian corner fireplace and mantledecorative pillarsfull hardwood staircase and banisterspocket doorspillars

If you are interested – Please contact Lisa Pitsenbarger at 714-788-9148 IMMEDIATELY to arrange to come view items and get a price quote.

Remember we must have all salvage completed by Monday, May 30th. Proceeds benefit the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society!

Please visit www.SantaAnaHistory.com for more information on the society and don’t forget to subscribe!

Orange County’s sustainable communities strategy

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Green, Health and Medical, Orange, Orange County, Planning, Redevelopment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Dear Orange County Stakeholder:

The Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) wants your input on a planning effort that your organization may be interested in relating to transportation, land use planning, and potential health benefits.

In late 2009, Orange County embarked on a first-ever attempt to develop and implement a subregional Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) as required by state law, SB 375. The goal of SB 375 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and light trucks through integrated transportation, land use, housing and environmental planning.

The Southern California Association of Governments or SCAG is responsible for developing a regional plan and the Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy (OC SCS) will represent Orange County’s contribution to this effort. After more than 50 public meetings with local jurisdictions and others, a Draft Orange County Sustainable Communities Strategy has been developed and is available for further comment.

To view the Draft OC SCS and for updates on future public meetings, please visit the OC SCS website and sign up for e-notifications at http://oc-scs.org/.

Comments on the Draft OC SCS are due by June 10, 2011.

Thank you for your commitment to Orange County.

Dave Simpson
Executive Director, Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Dsimpson@octa.net
Phone: 714.560.5570
Fax: 714.560-5706
550 South Main Street
P.O. Box 14181
Orange | CA | 92863-1584

Santa Ana Transit Vision Community Open House on Thursday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Entertainment, Redevelopment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A Santa Ana Transit Vision Community Open House will be held on Thursday, May 12th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The City of Santa Ana wants to get your opinions about what the improved and expanded train station should look like:

  • What services should the station provide?
  • How do we incorporate the old with the new?
  • What route do you prefer for a new streetcar in downtown Santa Ana?

You’re invited to an important Community Open House:

Garfield Elementary School
850 E. Brown St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
On Brown St. between Lacy St. and Garfield St.

Refreshments will be served.

Un intérprete Español estará disponible.

Lacy group that sued Santa Ana can’t give away a free multi-family building

Posted on by Posted in Affordable Housing, Civic Affairs, Development, Lawyers, Neighborhood Associations, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 7 Comments

The litigious Santa Ana residents who sued the City of Santa Ana, ostensibly to save a few questionably historic homes in the proposed “Station District” are now having a heck of a time giving away one of the “multi-family buildings,” which is an old motor court, which will be otherwise demolished.

It is worth noting that this group, the “Friends of the Lacy Neighborhood,” cost Santa Ana residents thousands of dollars with their ridiculous lawsuit against our City.  The net result?  Instead of building new affordable homes, as was originally proposed in the Station District development plan, we are now stuck with a bunch of old homes that will need a ton of repairs.

That’s right – Santa Ana’s taxpayers took one in the shorts, thanks to this Lacy group, and the folks who will eventually live in these dilapidated homes could have had new homes but will now get stuck in old homes no one wants.

The Lacy litigants were able to get the word out about their free home that on one wants on one of their affiliated websites:

Attention lovers and preservationists of old homes and buildings:

Have we got a deal for you!

The Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society, in our efforts to support the preservation of Santa Ana’s beautiful, historic buildings, would like to bring to your attention an immediate opportunity to save a beautiful motor court in the Lacy neighborhood!

On behalf of the Friends of the Lacy Historic Neighborhood:

Good morning everyone,

Last week the Friends of the Historic Lacy Neighborhoods settled its lawsuit with the City of Santa Ana over the demolition of numerous vintage homes in that neighborhood (south of Santa Ana Blvd, north of First Street, east of Mortimer and west of Garfield).

As a component of the settlement, the Friends agreed to City’s preservation of 10 old homes and the demolition of others. One of the structures to be razed is the vintage motor-court at 611 N. Minter.

This 13 unit building is scheduled to be razed after May 15, 2011. The group of small buildings is available, at no cost, to anyone interested in moving it, in whole or part, to another site.

Proposals for the accelerated time line need to be to the City before the end of the month. You can view pictures of the building at http://www.santa-ana.org/cda/multifamilybuildingforsale.asp.

The contact person at the City is Shelly Landry-Bayle. I only have a general number for the city from which you can be transferred to Shelly. That number is 714-647-6900.

We hoped to save these buildings for use as a public meeting area, artist village and small-business retail or student housing. Perhaps the buildings will find a similar use elsewhere in the city.

Colleen Williams
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House & Medical Museum
120 Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana CA 92701

Here is how this multi-family building was listed on the City of Santa Ana’s website before they took it down:

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Ana (Agency) is the owner of a 13-unit, motor court style multifamily residential complex located at 605-611 N. Minter Street in the City of Santa Ana. All 13 are bachelor units. The complex was constructed in 1930, and is unoccupied.

The site needs to be cleared by May 15, 2011 in order to meet the timing requirements of the approved new construction project. The Agency is offering to transfer ownership of the buildings to an individual or group who can demonstrate that they have the resources and experience necessary to effectuate the removal by no later than May 15, 2011. Proposals must be submitted by no later than Wednesday, April 27 at 5:00 P.M. to the following:

Ms. Shelly Landry-Bayle
Housing and Neighborhoods Development Manager
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, M-37
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Proposals may be submitted by mail, courier, fax at (714) 667-2225 or e-mail at SantaAnaHousingdept@santa-ana.org.

Acceptable proposals will include the following:

  • Cover letter identifying the person or persons who would take possession of the buildings and assume responsibility for the move.
  • Resumes for all such persons demonstrating substantial experience in moving and rehabilitating residential structures.
  • Evidence of site control for a proposed receiver site, an analysis demonstrating that the site will be adequate for this purpose, and evidence of jurisdictional approval for this use.
  • Cost estimate for the move and evidence that the individual or group has immediate access to the required funds.
  • Timeline to move structures that include a 14 day public hearing notice prior to a May 2, 2011 City Council approval of the selected proposal.

Questions regarding this matter must be submitted by e-mail via the above link as soon as possible.

Save the Sexlinger Orchard to hold a demonstration on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Neighborhood Associations, Planning, Politics, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 4 Comments

An organization calling itself “Save the Sexlinger Orchard” has announced a demonstration on Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, to bring attention to our cause.  1584 East Santa Clara Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

According to their Facebook page, the proposed housing project is about to formally enter a period of public debate.

They are requesting that you bring your own hand held signs with appropriate sentiments about the cause. Check for parking at Portola Park immediately east of the orchard or in the neighborhoods in the area.

To help anticipate participant numbers please RSVP if possible to defendourorchard@gmail.com.

They also ask that you please contact the property owner, Concordia University, Irvine, office of the President: Kurt Krueger, President. Phone: 949-214-3194. E-mail: kurt.krueger@cui.edu.

Recap of Larry Mantle’s “Santa Ana Gentrification Wars” radio show on KPCC

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Michele Martinez, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Photo: Karen X. Fritsche/KPCC

So you missed Larry Mantle’s “Santa Ana Gentrification Wars” radio show, that taped on Tuesday, March 29, at Libreria Martinez?  Not to worry.  Click here to hear the show, which was part of Mantle’s Air Talk program.

Guests included:

  • Eric Altman, Executive Director of OCCORD, Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development, a labor-funded non-profit organization that is headed up by two white male executives.
  • Michele Martinez, Santa Ana City Councilwoman – Ward 2; Human Resources and Education Foundation Director
  • Carlos Bustamante, Santa Ana Councilman – Ward 3; Director of Administration at Orange County Public Works
  • Carolina Sarmiento, member of the Centro Cultural de Mexico, a longtime Santa Ana nonprofit that figures into the gentrification game
  • Art Lomeli, a dentist who lives in Orange Park Acres and who heads up the Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government

Reviews were mixed.  Apparently little was accomplished on this show.

The Voice of OC blog provided a recap, which indicated that a lot of the discussion on the show was about the failed attempt to force a so-called “Community Benefit Agreement” on the Station District redevelopment project, which was going to include affordable housing but was derailed by a lawsuit.

These “Community Benefit Agreements” are nothing more than extortion.  They are attempts by folks who do not own property to force their will on developers.  They usually fail as developers and city governments have no reason to sign on to their demands, which do not respect property rights.

Furthermore, these agreements are advanced by non-elected busy-bodies who have no mandate and really should have no say in what happens in our community.  We already have an elected City Council.  It is their job, along with our City Planning Commission and our Planning Department, to resolve these issues.

Here is what our reader Cook had to say about the program: “The book store was packed, must have been more than the 100 people limit.  Nothing ground breaking happened, but there was a lot of exchanging ideas and talking points.”

And here is what our reader Junior had to say about it: “There were no NEW ideas – it was regurgitated talking points – from all sides.”

What did other folks think?  Well, the comments left on Mantle’s blog are interesting, to wit:

From David: Thanks again for hosting such a great event. I was fortunately to be part of the crowd when AirTalk was being recorded.

A believe that the core question was not answered directly and that was whether these businesses are displacing the natives in the Downtown Santa Ana area. Granted the redevelopment is supposedly be bringing in affordable housing but economically, how many natives can afford housing even when it’s affordable?

When Larry Mantle had asked as to whether they couldn’t compare this project to other cities such as Santa Monica, I think a better example would have been a local city, such as Westminster.

Asian Americans have a strong community in the City of Westminster and have a strong ties to the local businesses in the area. There has been development projects in Westminster as well but they are definitely helping the community by allowing more local businesses to be developed without having to worry for big corporations. I don’t see why Santa Ana can’t follow this business plan.

From Delores: As a Heinz 57 mutt, I love the culture here in Santa Ana. I think most Anglos do. Sadly last night it sounded like Carolina was an apologist for her family’s weath and for living in Floral Park. She has the luxury of being a rich kid who never purchases in downtown and yet cries foul for the community. The truth is, the 80,000 people who live in the sphere of influence of downtown do not shop downtown they head to Target, WalMart and Main Place. Downtown no longer has the 2nd place tax base that Art referenced. That was 7 years ago. As Carlos stated; the whites didn’t want the browns in the 70’s and the browns do not want the whites in 2011. It wasn’t right then, and it’s not right now! Change is afoot. Not unlike Borders, it is survival of the fittest. If you offer good service, value and quality; bridal shop, jewelry store, clothing store, tax preparation, etc., you have nothing to worry about. If your business is being pushed out by the worldwide web (travel, CD’s, movies) you should change your product. The color of downtown is not red, yellow, black, brown or white; it is green Carolina. If it’s not green, who will pay for what you ask for? Who will pay for affordable housing, green space, community centers, healthcare, and on and on????? Developers aren’t standing in line waiting to get a project in Santa Ana. It’s the contrary, the City is courting these developers to please take a look at Santa Ana.

From Holly: As a former longtime resident, I have seen the city of Santa Ana persistently navigate major redevelopment projects over the last 25 years. I’m thinking of the Bristol Corridor Project, the Delhi Community Center Redevelopment and all of the Santa Ana Schools that have been built on former business locations throughout Santa Ana. There were many of these same concerns expressed very actively & effectively from the community then, too and the City heard them and incorporated their concerns. The desire for accessible shopping and parks, open space, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods and a good community center are not unique to just Ward 2 in Santa Ana. Which leads me to believe that perhaps, in these very trying economic times – that the community’s desire for the labor to be ‘only from Santa Ana’ and that it be ‘Union’ only, is one of the true sticking points. To which I would say: only the attorneys for and against the lawsuit will benefit. The community of Ward 2 of Santa Ana will continue to struggle and the Station Area redevelopment project will languish, not improving the situation for anyone. Anyone except the attorneys on both sides of the pending lawsuit, that is.

From Michael: Perhaps the close minded people who want to fight something thing that is met for the betterment of all the community, had better step back and think a little. Breaking the law has consequences, regardless of peoples national origin, race or creed. I was appaled at the comment of one Hispanic woman who said what about the undocumented people who don’t have a voice in this matter. Well the truth is they shouldn’t have any voice period. Break the laws of our country and pay the price without complaining. The second issue is what is called the right of imminant domain. Just remember the courts have always upheld this issue and if people do not want to move forward with a community betterment project, this law can be imposed on them. I am a native of Los Angeles and have watched as the once great and beautiful city of Santa Ana going down to where it has become like a third world city. I congratulate the city council in their vision to bring Santa Ana back to its rightful place in So Cal. It is a total waste of money and time as well as increases a projects cost immensily to bring a lawsuit and with the state of our economy, is there money to waste? I think not. The council and developer get my vote.

KPCC’s Larry Mantle to host a radio show about Santa Ana, on March 28

Posted on by Posted in Affordable Housing, Carlos Bustamante, Development, Entertainment, Michele Martinez, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Click here for an audio link to Larry Mantle’s “Santa Ana Gentrification Wars” segment of Air Talk.

KPCC’s Larry Mantle is hosting a radio show about Santa Ana on March 28, at 6:30 p.m. You can get a free ticket by clicking here.  Mantle’s program is entitled “Santa Ana’s Gentrification Wars.”  KPCC Radio 89.3 is also known as National Public Radio NPR.

The show will run from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at Libreria Martinez, which is located at 216 North Broadway, in Santa Ana .

Here is how Mantle is describing the show on his website:

Does downtown Santa Ana need a face lift? The Santa Ana City Council has proposed multiple projects to upgrade housing and bring new business activity to the area. But some very vocal and active groups oppose this redevelopment. They argue that these changes will push out family owned businesses and negatively transform the character of downtown Santa Ana.

On March 15, AirTalk goes “on the road” to Libreria Martinez in Santa Ana to debate the pros and cons of that city’s revitalization process. Will the refurbishing of downtown Santa Ana improve or hurt the quality of life and well-being of residents there? Join Larry Mantle and guests for an in depth discussion about Santa Ana’s gentrification wars.

The public is invited to attend. ADMISSION IS FREE. But RSVPs are required.

Guests:

  • Eric Altman, Executive Director of OCCORD, Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development a community-based non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of Orange County’s working families
  • Michele Martinez, Santa Ana City Councilwoman – Ward 2; Human Resources and Education Foundation Director
  • Carlos Bustamante, Santa Ana Councilman – Ward 3; Director of Administration at Orange County Public Works
  • Carolina Sarmiento, member of the Centro Cultural de Mexico, a longtime Santa Ana nonprofit that figures into the gentrification game

Sponsor: AirTalk

Editor’s Notes:

It is obvious that Mantle has no clue about Santa Ana.  Our Downtown has already had a face lift!  The project he is thinking of is likely the Station District, which has been derailed by a lawsuit.  The land the city bought in that area was bought with grants for affordable housing.  In fact the Station District included a lot of affordable housing.

OCCORD is a union-backed organization that is funded in part by Alfredo Amezcua, who lost badly last year when he challenged Mayor Miguel Pulido.  It is ironic that they are focusing on gentrification when their top two executives are white males.

The reality is that our city has seen a huge influx in the last few years of Vietnamese Americans.  At the same time many white residents have died or moved out.  We are the most diverse city in Orange County – so arguing about gentrification seems rather silly.

City of Santa Ana taking steps to encourage construction, housing and jobs

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 7 Comments

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jay Trevino, Executive Director, Planning & Building Agency, City of Santa Ana, 714‐667‐2706

SANTA ANA TAKING STEPS TO ENCOURAGE CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING, JOBS

SANTA ANA, CA – The Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously at its February 7 th meeting to defer collection of development impact fees to foster continued development and jobs in the community.  The program applies to both residential and non‐residential development, and allows developers to defer the payment of several fees.

Deferring these development impact fees reduces the amount of up‐front costs developers must finance through debt or equity, and reduces the amount of interest paid over the construction period.  These fees can represent a sizable up‐front cost and may be a deciding factor in the financial feasibility of a project.  “The Building Industry Association of Orange County (BIA/OC) applauds the leadership of the Santa Ana City Council for their proposal to assist the building industry by supporting a development fee deferral program, says Bryan Starr, Deputy Executive Officer, External Affairs.  “The BIA/OC is proud to partner with progressive city leaders who find common sense solutions to some of the pressures that our industry has been facing.”

The impact fee deferral program will last for one year beginning March 9, 2011 and ending March 7, 2012.  It allows these costs to be paid at occupancy, rather than at the beginning of construction.

New labor-backed study alleges that special interests influence planning decisions

Posted on by Posted in Affordable Housing, Alfredo Amezcua, Anaheim, Development, Planning, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 8 Comments

MEDIA ADVISORY: February 7, 2011

CONTACT: Robert Nothoff, 949-433-0541 (mobile)

New Research Documents Influence of Special Interests in Local Planning Decisions

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) today released a new report—The Rubber Stamp Process: Broken Governance in Planning and Development and How Communities Can Regain a Voice—which details structural flaws in the local planning processes in Anaheim and Santa Ana that favor special interests over local residents.

―Now more than ever, we need economic development in Orange County, but people won’t support it if they lose confidence in the political process, said Robert Nothoff, OCCORD Policy Analyst and Rubber Stamp Process co-author. ―The planning process is broken: Communities don’t have an equal voice to counter special interests, and elected leaders are between a rock and a hard place as they look for ways to balance the budget.

Findings of The Rubber Stamp Process include:

  • Outside interests have disproportionate sway over local politics, as 70% of all individual and corporate political contributions in Anaheim and Santa Ana came from outside city boundaries.
  • The top five Economic Sectors (NAICS) accounted for 63% of overall contributions to successful Mayoral and City Council races, including several development-related sub-industries.
  • Local planning commissions do not represent every neighborhood or the general public as a whole. In Anaheim and Santa Ana, over half of all planning commissioners between 2000 – 2010 came from relatively affluent neighborhoods that represent less than 20% of the total population.
  • Development projects move forward even when the public strongly disagrees with them. In Anaheim and Santa Ana, 87 new development projects were presented between 2005 and 2010.  21 were met with overwhelming community opposition, yet 20 of the 21 were approved.
  • Other significant barriers to public participation exist: Inadequate notification, ineffective public hearings (public input sought at end vs. beginning of process), and constraints on city planners.

To produce The Rubber Stamp Process, OCCORD collected and tracked all 5,600 donations made to successful Mayoral and City Council candidates in Anaheim and Santa Ana between 2004 and 2010; reviewed occupational backgrounds and geographic locations of all planning commissioners in the two cities between 2000 and 2010; and based on 3,898 pages of City Council minutes, analyzed the City Council approval rate for all new development projects in those cities between 2005 and 2010. A copy of
The Rubber Stamp Process is available on OCCORD’s website at www.occord.org/rubberstamp.

The report offers four broad policy principles to remedy the current structural bias: (1) Encourage public participation early in the development process by raising public awareness and increasing outreach to neighborhoods before important decisions are made; (2) level the playing field by ensuring that all costs and benefits for a project are taken into account and increasing transparency in the decision-making process; (3) empower every neighborhood to have a voice in development decisions that affect its quality
of life; and (4) make elected and appointed officials more accountable to the communities they represent.

―The bias we observed goes beyond the actions of any single city, elected leader, or political party. It’s about who decides what happens to our communities: Out-of-town developers or the people who live and work there, said Nothoff. ―The solution is to give communities a real voice in the planning process.

Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) is a nonprofit organization committed to economic development that benefits everyone who lives and works in Orange County’s diverse communities.

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Click here to see the graphics associated with this study.

In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that failed Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua is listed as a “Champion Funder” of this organization, according to OCCORD’s website.  Moreover, their Board of Directors is totally dominated by organized labor, which is of course a special interest.  Their Board also includes Amezcua backer Amin David, of the Anaheim Los Amigos.  David is also listed as a funder or this organization.  Lastly, their Staff is also dominated by labor representatives.

OCCORD is an advocate for Community Benefit Accords – these are compacts with developers that force the developers to spend thousands of dollars mollifying the OCCORD activists.  Close to 100% of the CBAs advocated by OCCORD fail when developers realize they don’t have to listen to these unelected people.

The study fails to note that organized labor spent hundreds of thousands of dollars last year trying, fruitlessly, to elect John Leos to the Anaheim City Council – and labor figured heavily in Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s campaign as well.  Labor money often is hidden in Independent Expenditures or arrives in the form of precinct walkers, which does not show up on campaign finance reports.

It is not illegal to accept campaign donations from sources outside of one’s city.  That is  a common practice.  In fact Amezcua has started a PAC called the Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government, which is led by three of Amezcua’s allies who don’t live in Santa Ana, including Art Lomeli, who lives in wealthy Orange Park Acres and John Acosta, who lives in Anaheim.

The Planning Commissioners in Anaheim and Santa Ana are appointed by City Council representatives elected by the people who live in those cities.  It doesn’t matter where they live.  They serve at the pleasure of the Council Members who appoint them.

While Planning Commissions often approve development projects that face community opposition, the question one must ponder is whether that opposition consists of more than a few dozen people.  The most hotly contested development in Santa Ana – the One Broadway Tower, was approved by the voters, yet today a handful of opponents continue to tie this project up in court – even though the project will provide almost three thousand good-paying jobs to union contractors.  How ironic.

The people involved in OCCORD are also allied with the folks who are suing to stop the Transit District development in Santa Ana, although it would have provided a substantial amount of affordable housing.  Again, how ironic, as affordable housing is supposedly one of OCCORD’s missions.

O.C. business, labor and political leaders oppose Brown’s attack on redevelopment

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Business, california, Entertainment, irvine, Jobs, Labor, Orange County, Politics, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 3 Comments

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2011

Contacts: Jill Cagle, BIAOC, (949) 553-9500; Tony Cardenas, League of California Cities, (714) 425-5558

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Orange County Leaders in Local Government, Business, Affordable Housing and Labor Announce Opposition to Administration’s Proposal to Eliminate Redevelopment

Group warns proposal will kill hundreds of thousands of local jobs, harm local economies and hinder the national housing recovery while doing nothing to solve the State budget deficit

When/Where:

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Colony Park: 710 Melrose Street Anaheim, CA 92805

What: Anaheim Council Member Kris Murray, and Irvine Council Members Larry Agran and Jeffrey Lalloway join local business, affordable housing and labor leaders on February 1, at Anaheim’s Colony Park, an affordable housing project currently under construction, to declare their opposition to the Administration’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies in California.

This proposal represents more of the same misguided and illegal State budget raids of local government funds that voters have repeatedly voted against. This is a short-term fix that will permanently destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in local economic activity, including over 75,000 jobs in Anaheim alone. While local officials realize Governor Brown is facing tough choices, gutting tools to create local jobs and economic opportunity is a non-starter and will be vehemently opposed.

Who:

  • Anaheim Council Member Kris Murray
  • Irvine Council Member Larry Agran and Council Member Jeffrey Lalloway
  • Building Industry Association of Orange County John O’Brien, Vice President, Brookfield Homes
  • Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Sharon Ellis, Chief Executive Officer
  • Orange County Business Council
  • Trade Union Representatives/Labor
  • Local Homeowner Testimony

Visuals: The backdrop for the press conference is Anaheim’s Colony Park, and will include workers building an ongoing project that would get shut down if redevelopment agencies are abolished. Colony Park, an affordable housing project, sits on the site of a formerly contaminated area that was cleaned up and revitalized through Anaheim’s Redevelopment Agency.

About Redevelopment:

  • Redevelopment activities support an average of 304,000 full- and part-time private sector jobs in a typical year, including 170,600 construction jobs;
  • Redevelopment contributes over $40 billion annually to California’s economy in the generation of goods and services;
  • Redevelopment construction activities generate $2 billion in state and local taxes in a typical year; and
  • Governor Brown’s elimination of redevelopment agencies would only provide a one-time cash infusion of $1.7 billion, and $0 in future years; and
  • Success stories of redevelopment are all over Orange County; please refer to the press packet for a list of ongoing projects that would be jeopardized if redevelopment agencies are abolished.

Tony Cardenas
Public Affairs Regional Manager
Orange County Division
League of California Cities
(714) 425-5558
Tcardenas@cacities.org

Cindy Nelson, head of Santa Ana’s Development Services, opts to retire

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Redevelopment, Santa Ana 10 Comments

I ran into a senior employee of the City of Santa Ana today, who told me that Cindy Nelson, the head of the City’s Community Development Agency, whose title is “Deputy City Manager for Development Services,” decided to retire on Friday of this week – and that this is public information.  Apparently her letter of resignation was received at City Hall and she is no longer an employee of the City.

Nelson made headlines recently when she refused to answer questions about the now-defunct trial valet parking program in Downtown Santa Ana.  She also has been clashing with the Santa Ana City Council over allegations that vast amounts of public money have been spent by her department, without Council oversight.   I just wrote about that yesterday.  You can read my post by clicking here.

I don’t know if her sudden retirement is due to her dispute with the City Council.  I have not verified this with any of the Council Members.

I suspected something like this was brewing but was still surprised by the suddenness of her retirement.

This comes at an awkward time as new California Governor Jerry Brown is making noise about getting rid of the many city redevelopment agencies in California, by taking their money, ostensibly to fill the State’s empty coffers.

I worked with Nelson many years ago when I was the head of Santa Ana Neighborhood Housing Services’s Board.  That organization is now known as the Orange County NHS.  She left the City of Santa Ana briefly a few years ago to work on the Nexus Towers project, then returned to the City when that project switched to rental units.

Nelson is a board member of the California Redevelopment Association.  Here is her bio as it appears on their website:

Cindy Nelson brings more than 30 years of community development-related public service to the Board. This will also be Cindy’s second time serving on the CRA Board.

She currently oversees Santa Ana ’s redevelopment and economic development programs as well as its community development and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act programs. She also manages the City’s Emergency Services Grant, federal job training, and business retention and attraction programs, and one of three WORK (Work, Opportunity, Resources, and Knowledge) Centers in the county of Orange . Cindy has more than 22 years of experience with the City of Santa Ana in two different stints. Prior to Santa Ana , she spent four years at the City of Long Beach as its Downtown Manager.

In Santa Ana , she has been instrumental in the expansion of the Bowers Museum as a world-class art institute; managed the development of Westfield MainPlace Mall; negotiated and developed the Santa Ana Auto Mall; initiated various commercial and residential loan programs; and gained approval for one of the first State Enterprise Zones and Federal Empowerment Zones.

Cindy’s first tour on the CRA Board was from 1991 to 2000, and she served as President from July 1993 to June 1994. She was also President for CALED during that same time period.

Sean Mill appointed to the Santa Ana Planning Commission by a 5-2 Council vote

Posted on by Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Development, Redevelopment, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana 20 Comments

Sean Mill was appointed last night, at the Santa Ana City Council, to the Planning Commission.  Mill was nominated by Councilman Sal Tinajero, who won re-election to a four year term in November of last year.  Mill previously served about three years on the Planning Commission.

Only two residents spoke against Mill’s nomination.  One of them, Mike Tardiff, opposed a proposed Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant that was slated to open at a food court on 17th St., near Tustin Ave., by Orchard Supply Hardware.  Mill supported that venture, while he was on the Planning Commission.  Tardiff and his allies sued to stop the project and the owners of the restaurant decided to open it elsewhere.  That food court is now desperately trying to survive, without a main anchor tenant.

The Council asked Mill a few questions and his answers were found to be satisfactory.  Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez grilled him on the question of whether or not he supports the Artists Village.  Mill affirmed that he does, but he does not support public subsidies of the Artists Village.

In the end, Mill was appointed by a 5-2 vote.  Only two Council Members opposed him – David Benavides and Carlos Bustamante.

Benavides had a score to settle with Mill, who exposed him this summer for supporting Minuteman Lupe Moreno, when she and her fellow Minutemen took over the 4th of July event that was held at the Santa Ana library.  One of the Minutemen was caught on video calling a Santa Ana resident a “wetback,” but Benavides honored Moreno and her event committee nevertheless.

Bustamante’s vote was not a surprise since he is the Council’s lone Republican and he often votes in ways that make sense only to him – and his ally Benavides.  Bustamante was caught this summer actively campaigning for Republican Van Tran, who went on to lose badly to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in November.  Local Democrats are said to be targeting Bustamante, who is coming up for re-election in 2012.