GT not expected to alter zoning
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/26/2007 12:00:00 AM PST
GRAND TERRACE - There's a tune-up going on at City Hall.
The road map that guides future development in the city is being updated for the first time in several years.
City officials have begun a yearlong process to upgrade the General Plan, which guides land use and planning decisions.
There's not much land left to be developed in this 13,000-resident town, which doesn't translate into a lot of major changes on the horizon, City Manager Tom Schwab said.
People who own residential property shouldn't be worried about having it rezoned for industrial or commercial development, Schwab said.
"We're not doing any substantive changes in land use at all," Schwab said.
But Schwab said the city is required by state law to periodically update its General Plan.
Several projects in the city such as an outdoor-themed retail center, a senior housing complex and a Mexican fast- food restaurant have been contested in court. Some of the challenges have been successful.
"Our General Plan has antiquated language in it," Schwab said. "It needs to be updated. Otherwise, our projects are subject to litigation. Obviously, we've had some issues with that recently."
A few residents spoke at last week's Planning Commission meeting about changes to the General Plan and the future of the city.
Jeffrey McConnell, a Walnut Avenue resident, said the new General Plan should promote increased energy efficiency by encouraging measures such as the installation of solar panels on new development.
McConnell noted that solar panels were recently installed on carports in the parking lot at the Loma Linda Civic Center.
Grand Terrace should follow suit as a way to save energy and reduce global warming, McConnell said.
"The city should stop coming up with excuses and start coming up with solutions," McConnell said. "Global warming is a reality. Wake up."
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said the city will keep residents informed about the process by holding regular public workshops in the next few months.
Any changes to the General Plan must be approved by the Planning Commission and City Council.
"We've had a very good General Plan that has worked well for us," Ferre said. "Obviously, times change and things change. That's why we're doing this."
Dear Gramps:
Mr. Tom Schwab now blames the General Plan for the Law Suits that he in the past said had no merit.
I agree that we should change our General Plan and Ordinances so that SCE is not Forced upon the Citizens of Grand Terrace. We need a way where we can individually or in collective groups get off the grid or become energy producers like the options folks in Los Angelus have with DWP their meter can run backward, and the citizen can have a 0 energy bill. It is time our city stops protecting SCE and Auto Makers and Pass Laws and Codes that make it possible for us to get off the SCE Grid, and drive an LEV all over the town if we want.
Changing the speed limit to 35mph is all that is needed to allow LEV's to be legal all through town. With all the stop lights, and stop signs, this is the average safe speed on Mt. Vernon and Barton Road. THEY just need to change the signs. The rest of the politics and economics will fall into place with out added cost or problem to the city or citizens. LOCAL Business will benefit as LEV's and NEV's have a short range so folks will shop local. This is good energy use and good economics. This could be an industry and retail opportunity for the City, between cities. Now that would be real forward looking. LEV's and NEV's (Light Electric Vehicles or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles ( They are road ready Federal Approved Electric Cart type Cars, with seat belts and windshilds and so forth).
