From the Email InBox: Wonder what Brian Thinks?

Brian Reinarz has been supportive of the Development Decisions of City Hall. He even suggests that the Plans for the Town Square are on file at the Planning Commission where a Citizen may be able to obtain a copy of the current rendition. No doubt after reading this blog he discovered a Fast Food Restaurant will be located on the street where he lives or near to it. No doubt this will cause many out of town drivers to use his Vivienda Court as a turn around, increasing traffic, noise, and trash in his neighborhood. No doubt there will be an increase in the number of people hanging out in his neighborhood. One wonders if he will all of a sudden be aware of the need for better planing.

He felt it necessary to identify the land owner of the X property in the Plans below as a slight to a person who wants to own and use their property as they desire. Remember he spoke infavor of taking Private Property from the Private Property Owner so a Private Developer could expand his project with the support of the City Manager Tom Schwab.

So he won't be upset if his property and address is shown to illustrate the location and test the question is it time he will change his spots on the City/Jacobsen Plans are all great for GT. We'll see...

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Gramps had to go look at Brian's Blog to see what he posted... here it is...

Town Square Development

As previously mentioned here, new plans have been submitted to the City Planning Department for the proposed Town Square Development on Barton Road at Michigan Avenue in Grand Terrace. You can click on the link to view a diagram of the proposed center. You can't really see much other than Stater Bros. and Miguel's Jr., although you can increase the % on your toolbar to get a closer view. The best view is at 200%. The big "X" in the blank white space towards the right side of the project is the property of Jo Stringfield, who chose to remain and live in the middle of a shopping center. This diagram was taken from the CB Richard Ellis Real Estate web site.

There is really nothing new in the diagram but If you look across Barton Road to the North you'll see a project that I wasn't aware of. This one is a 2100 square foot "fast food pad" on the corner of Barton Road and Vivienda Avenue, directly across from the Lion's Community Center. There is currently a house on this property and, although there was talk of Auto Zone relocating there, this is the first I've heard of a fast food pad. Check it out.

Brian
October 13, 2007

Brian's Reply to Emailer:

To the poster who took offense and posted my address in a sorry attempt to frighten me:

I know that you're upset about my identifying Jo Stringfield's property. This was not a slight in any way. IT IS A FACT. She chose to stay in the middle of a shopping center. That's all I said and that's all I meant. It was a major news story which is why I identified the property. I have no problem with my address being known. I have nothing to hide and its public information. How bout' you? Who are you and where do you live? Huh? Thought so!! Also, get your facts straight. I've never been in favor of eminent domain for private developers. Reading my blog will show that. I was initially in favor of the town square project as proposed if all land was acquired, which it wasn't.

I am not in favor of a fast food row, which is also well documented. Ask Gramps, he'll show you the e-mails. If a fast food restaurant is put in on Vivienda and it reduces my quality of life to a point that I can't stand it...I'll move. That's how it works. Why should I be able to control what happens on somebody else's property? You'll protect Ms Stringfield's right to use her property till the end of time as you should, but not anyone else's right to do the same with their property. You can only control your own stuff, not everybody else's. If I don't like the restaurant...I'll move.

And finally...nobody took anything from Jo Stringfield. I was at the meeting and I know what she was offered. It was far beyond fair. It was excessive. Still, she chose to remain and live in the middle of a shopping center, which is her absolute right. But remember...the owner of the land around her also has the right to build the center.

I know you are very angry and that's unfortunate. Life is too short to be so bitter all the time.

thanks,

Brian Reinarz

Reply by Gramps:

Yes, Brian has said much after the fact he was against the use of Eminent Domain for the purpose of building the Town Center. However, when he spoke at the City Council Meetings he clearly desired the building of the Center, "If all the Land Could Be Acquired". He did not say at that time that he was against the use of Eminent Domain to force the Sale of Property. So the City Council and Public would naturally assume that his statements could mean do what ever it takes to build the Lowes/Staters as Originally Planned.

Yes, Brian, Jo didn't lose the right to keep her land. She lost a significant amount of money having to defend her right to her property. She had to spend a significant amount of time and suffered and still is suffering from the stress of the entire lengthy event, including a Notice to her to Not change the Land or Use as the City is Considering the use of Eminent Domain. Not to mention the actual autorization by the City Council to get an Assesment of the property for the intent of making an ED Offer. Yes Brian, I have posted letters where she was threated with Deal with Jacobsen or the City will use ED. When I posted my opinion about this it was clear and to the point.

No Brian, Mr. Jacobsen is not like any other property owner. He has used Public Agency aka the Redevelopment Agency to acquire and manipulate the economic opportunities he is enjoying in Grand Terrace. Therefor the Citizens of Grand Terrace who also have to abide by zoning and codes should be party to the Development of those areas in the General Plan, and Barton Rd Specific Plan, and financed or facilitated by Public Funds. So a Fast Food Restaurant across the bus loading zone for the GT Elm is not a good use. As a Mater of practicality the CJUSD should use Eminent Domain to acquire that property for Future School Expansion when and if Cal Trans takes land for the freeway and off ramps.

Yes, Brian you are free to sell your property, or live there. However, the City Council that prides itself on ever increasing housing values sure will have cheated you as anyone who would buy your house would want a discount if the Fast Food Restaurant is built on Vivienda.

I doubt anyone thinks that you would be "Scared" by having your address listed, or the situation illustrated. Yes, your address is public information. Yes, this particular planed development will directly impact you should it come to pass.

I do think that a Development that is done with the aid of the Government is to be held in account for the public good more than those done independent of Governament intervention and assistance. Mr. Jacobsen has been given an unfair advantage over other developers and businesses in Grand Terrace, he has or will enjoy the unbridaled support of the City Redevelopment Agency, Planning Dept, and City Council, including the transfer of RDA Lands. Of course he will "Pay" for that land, but, it is not as if he is going to make a purchase on an open market. It is also nice of the city to finance the land until he needs it.

Brian, you named and ID Jo Stringfield, and the Writer ID'd You and the Fast Food Development.

Well, that's what Gramps thinks about the two writers.