Lawsuit filed against city to halt new senior-housing complex
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/02/2007 10:20:53 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Opponents of a 120-unit senior housing complex have filed another lawsuit to stop the project.
A group of residents called Citizens for Responsible and Open Government claims the city failed to perform an adequate environmental analysis of the project.
The project would cause significant problems with noise, traffic and air quality, according to the suit filed last week in San Bernardino Superior Court.
The suit also states the project is inconsistent with the city's General Plan.
A hearing in the case is set for Nov. 14 in Superior Court.
Grading started two weeks ago on the housing complex known as the Blue Mountain Senior Villas, geared toward low and middle- income seniors age 65 and older. A new senior center and park are also planned on the city-owned property on Grand Terrace Road just east of Mount Vernon Avenue.
The City Council approved revised plans for the project in August in response to a previous lawsuit filed by the same group.
The initial suit was filed in late 2005 after the council first approved the project.
Superior Court Judge John Wade ruled last year that the earlier project might produce substantial environmental impacts.
The city performed an environmental-impact report to address the judge's concerns, and new plans were submitted.
The City Council decided to lower the height of the apartment building from three to two stories to appease residents concerned about blocked views.
City Manager Tom Schwab said the new lawsuit will not delay construction of the project.
Schwab expects the apartments to be open by next fall.
"I'm disappointed," he said of the suit. "It's just a waste of time and money. We did an (environmental report) with the full expectation we would be asked to defend it in court. We did a very careful analysis that took a year to complete. We're absolutely positive that our (report) is solid and the judge will uphold our project and let us continue to move forward."
Raymond Johnson, the Temecula-based attorney representing the citizens' group, did not respond to a phone call or e-mail seeking comment.
Members of the group could not be reached for comment.
Barbara Berliner, who lives directly behind the project site, said she is not a member of the group but supports the lawsuit.
"It does not belong in this neighborhood," said Berliner, a 21-year Brentwood Street resident. "One hundred twenty apartments on three acres is ridiculous when they have more room on Barton Road, where it should be built."
Berliner said she will lose her view and apartment residents will be able to look in her backyard.
"I'm not happy about this at all," Berliner said. "I'm very disappointed the city doesn't want to hear other options."
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said most residents want the project to be built at its approved location.
"I think we've dotted every `i' and crossed every `t,' Ferre said. "This is badly needed, and the community is looking forward with great enthusiasm to it being completed. We've done what (the court) asked us to do. Now, we're moving forward."
Gramps Adds:
The City’s Environmental Impact Report said the Best Site for the Senior Housing would be Mid Town where the Residents would be close to stores, and where it was planned in Prior Plans.
Citizens were not allowed to provide input on a Proposed Plan as the Plan and the EIR were done without showing the Public the Plans in a Detail that would allow for detailed informed input.
There are more issues than the height of the buildings.
Yes, Mr. Schwab this will cost money, and it is YOU who has lead the city down this costly path.
How is it NOTICE of the Legal action was reported in the BLOG prior to the “REAL NEWS PAPER”?
Thanks a lot..
