From the Email Inbox: Who Owns What

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The Grand Terrace news printed a story last week saying Jacobsen development owned 13 of the 14 properties needed for the proposed development. This was actually factually incorrect. Only about a third of the lots are owned by the developer so far. A majority of the property along the Barton Road and Michigan Street intersection is still privately owned as of this date. So just like the story about the signed leases, which are not signed; and sold lots are not yet purchased.

The proposed “Town Square” development area has been the subject of spirited public debate in recent weeks. Residents are stressing a need to return to the city’s general plan and specific plan for guidance. Proposals for big box stores and a sea of asphalt parking lots, has infuriated some residents who protested at city hall before the council meeting this past week. Further public scrutiny has uncovered the threat posed to the local Terrace elementary school which could soon be displaced by the improvements to on & off ramps at the 215 Freeway and widening of the Barton Road overpass.

We checked the county public tax records and discovered that only 4 parcels are now actually owned by the proposed developer: they are 22209, 22219, 22257 Barton, and the trailer park at 12135 Michigan, owned jointly by the developer with Robert & Heidi Brun. These 4 lots total 6.13 acres. An additional 4 lots are still owned by the City of Grand Terrace or the Redevelopment Agency, and total 5.39 acres. The development agreement outlines the sale of these lots to the developer at the bargain basement price of $7.50/sf. This land price has not changed since the initial 2003 city proposed sale.

Finally, six other parcels within the rectangular area of the proposed development site are still privately owned. This shows clearly on public tax records and has been confirmed by each of the property owners. These parcels total 7.73 acres. In this group, Miguel’s is the only private owner of land in “the project area” that the city has allowed to participate in the development. Miguel’s has been allowed to plan their restaurant and apply for approvals on project land that to not now own, nor will they later occupy. Reciprocal parking agreements and land swaps have been granted only to this owner to the exclusion of any other participants, land owners or tenants.

Another of these land owners has confirmed an option sale of their property to the developer in the price range of $26/sf of land. However a third owner said he had never been contacted about loosing his property to this development and was shocked to hear the news. A forth owner has just filed for bankruptcy protection, one day after the council vote approving the city’s chosen site developer threatening his property with ED.

The largest parcel of all, containing 3 acres of land is still in private hands and belongs to the former Mayor of Grand Terrace. He was the mayor who actually signed Ordinance 187 in 1999 authorizing the taking of private property by eminent domain. It is distressing but noteworthy that this former public official often speaks in favor of this development project, while he still owns property to be acquired. If this property has been subject to a private sale, the value would have a bearing on other values. It would be a useful yardstick of value for other nearby land parcels and city appraisals. If it has not been sold and will be acquired by the power eminent domain that information should not be concealed but should be made public to taxpayers now. Grand Terrace residents were unaware that this 1999 ordinance could allow homes to be taken. A careful reading of the ordinance appears not to allow that result, stating “The Agency is hereby empowered under this plan to use eminent domain in order to execute the Plan, but only as to property which is not residentially zoned or as to property acquired with the consent of the property owner.” Most residents also understood that this “takings” power would be reserved by government only for continued public use and for the public good.

Public opinion mandates that this power of eminent domain to take property be reserved for actual public uses for all such as roads, schools, fire stations, flood channels, public buildings or utilities. The residents of Grand Terrace never authorized Ordinance 187 to take private property merely for the economic benefits of others, even for city taxes.

Citizens should be alerted to the fact that many of those who speak in favor of the proposed project either already have or will gain financially from the development. These include property sellers, real estate brokers, the Chamber of Commerce, city staff who have received support for Grand Terrace days and public officials who have accepted the maximum campaign contributions from the developer and his wife.

Let’s not be for sale. Let’s plan our community right. Let’s go back to our master plan and not sell out the soul of Grand Terrace to the highest bidder. Let’s plan and do it right!