The CJUSD BOARD reversed the Superintendent's Decision not to allow SCAQMD the access to test the air quality at schools near the Cement Plants and Mining Operations. The reason offered at the Board Meeting and in the Colton News Paper was the "School Administration" was afraid of possible bad "P.R.".
PUBLIC RELATIONS or STUDENT AND STAFF HEALTH... hmmmm I think the next action the School Board should take is to replace the Administrator who would rather risk the health of students and staff than to face possible P.R. Problem.
This blog and others informed the School Board Members and Public and by these public actions brought the CJUSD Board to take action. If the Air is OK, GREAT if it IS BAD we need to address that. However, not KNOWING is not an OPTION.
Thank You All.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Barton Rd. Development EIR Concerns
LETER SENT TO CITY of GRAND TERRACE
EIR CONCERNS for Barton Road Project
July 28, 2008
Gary Koontz
City of Grand Terrace
Letter of Concern for proposed EIR Report on Barton Road Project
1. La Pax is a one lane thorough way joining our neighborhood streets. It has always been a site for hoodlums to hang out and drink, do drugs and have sex. There is a lot of paraphernalia left behind. The properties on each corner of Pascal have block walls. If another block wall is built opposing them, this would give the hoods an added sense of security and increase our problem.
2. Our children play in the streets of our neighborhood streets, because our area does not have a play area and there is little through traffic. By increasing the traffic on La Pax, you will be endangering our children.
3. By setting loading and unloading zones behind the stores, next to our neighborhood, you will be increasing diesel fuel fumes, which are known to carry large particles that cause cancer. You will also be increasing noise and taking away our right as land owners to “quiet enjoyment” of our property
The Clean Air Act and Amendments of 1990 define a "nonattainment area" as a locality where air pollution levels persistently exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or that contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that fails to meet standards.
4. If you make these stores more than one story, then you have over-built and burdened our neighborhood and taken away our privacy.
5. The two corner homes on Pascal and La Pax have front doors facing the fields. If you build a block wall there, it will give thieves and incentive to hit those homes. One has been broke into already.
6. Children walk and ride their bikes to Grand Terrace Elementary, five days a week. Barton Road is presently unsafe. By building a shopping center across the street, you will increase traffic, and transient activity. This will make it hazardous for our children.
7. With Highgrove building thousands of homes and Grand Terrace increasing Michigan to accommodate them, I cannot see how Barton Road can handle that amount of traffic and still maintain our neighborhood quality.
Friday, July 25, 2008
An Informed Public: The Goal of the Blog
Issues regarding the AES Plan to start up the Power Plant were brought to light by Roxanne Williams and this Blog. The Blog informed many of the members of the School Board, and City Council regarding the conflicting uses of the property adjacent to the Proposed High School #3.
The School Board took the bold step and communicated its Concerns About the Proposed Power Plant to the Energy Commission. Where as the City Council of Grand Terrace chose to remain silent as a body, regarding the proposed plan and the potential risk to the students and Citizens of Grand Terrace.
Only Hermin Hilkey Former Council Member expressed a high degree of concern when AES and the Redevelopment Agency wanted to swap land, to make the AES plan easier to implement.
Demonstrating the Schizophrenic Nature of the City's Attitude regarding AES, just note the current statements by Steve Berry, now we have an "Ugly" Power Plant. Not that the NEW Power Plant would somehow be UN-UGLY. Remember he is also known for promoting the Old Power Plant as a Movie Set.
If you have Lemons make Lemon Aid... but it is easier to sell if you don't badmouth lemons.
Perhaps new Council Members will be more Citizen Focused, rather than focused on who donates to Grand Terrace Days, or their Political Campaign Funds.
Power-plant plan plug pulled
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/22/2008 10:14:19 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Plans for a 300-megawatt power plant that caused concern among some residents are off the table.
The Long Beach company hoping to build the approximately $200million plant said it has withdrawn its applications with state and local licensing authorities to proceed with the project.
AES Highgrove LLC tried to sell the site on which the plant was slated to be built to another company, but the deal fell apart a week or two ago, AES officials said.
"We were up against deadlines from both the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to move the project forward," AES Highgrove project director Don Vawter said in an e-mail to the city. "When the sale of the development fell apart, we had no choice but to have our applications at both the (energy commission) and (AQMD) pulled."
Vawter said "some interesting alternative energy ideas" are being considered for the site, but it will take the company a few months to decide what to do.
AES Corp. spokeswoman Meghan Dotter declined to provide additional information on the project.
The plant was slated as a peaking facility to meet electric generation load during high demand periods. It would have consisted of three 100 megawatt gas-fired turbine generators and related equipment to operate the facility.
The plant was proposed on a 10-acre parcel at 12700 Taylor St., across the street from a proposed high school.
Neighbors and Colton Joint Unified School District officials expressed concern about the proximity of the high school - scheduled to open in September 2011 - to a power plant.
"It's been a long, hard fight," said Roxanne Williams, a 12-year resident who lives near the plant site. "It's better for the city and the residents and the proposed new high school. What this will do is open up that whole area.
"Instead of having it exposed to heavy industry, now we can bring in commercial and retail and clean up that area."
A deactivated power plant formerly owned by Southern California Edison now sits on the site.
AES Highgrove planned to demolish the plant and build the new facility on property once used by Edison for fuel oil storage.
Assistant City Manager Steve Berry said the city would like to see the old power plant on the site dismantled.
"On the positive side, it's one less obstacle we have to deal with in order to get the new high school built," Berry said. "On the down side, we're stuck with a hulking, aging power plant that's an eyesore on our landscape."
The School Board took the bold step and communicated its Concerns About the Proposed Power Plant to the Energy Commission. Where as the City Council of Grand Terrace chose to remain silent as a body, regarding the proposed plan and the potential risk to the students and Citizens of Grand Terrace.
Only Hermin Hilkey Former Council Member expressed a high degree of concern when AES and the Redevelopment Agency wanted to swap land, to make the AES plan easier to implement.
Demonstrating the Schizophrenic Nature of the City's Attitude regarding AES, just note the current statements by Steve Berry, now we have an "Ugly" Power Plant. Not that the NEW Power Plant would somehow be UN-UGLY. Remember he is also known for promoting the Old Power Plant as a Movie Set.
If you have Lemons make Lemon Aid... but it is easier to sell if you don't badmouth lemons.
Perhaps new Council Members will be more Citizen Focused, rather than focused on who donates to Grand Terrace Days, or their Political Campaign Funds.
Power-plant plan plug pulled
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/22/2008 10:14:19 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Plans for a 300-megawatt power plant that caused concern among some residents are off the table.
The Long Beach company hoping to build the approximately $200million plant said it has withdrawn its applications with state and local licensing authorities to proceed with the project.
AES Highgrove LLC tried to sell the site on which the plant was slated to be built to another company, but the deal fell apart a week or two ago, AES officials said.
"We were up against deadlines from both the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to move the project forward," AES Highgrove project director Don Vawter said in an e-mail to the city. "When the sale of the development fell apart, we had no choice but to have our applications at both the (energy commission) and (AQMD) pulled."
Vawter said "some interesting alternative energy ideas" are being considered for the site, but it will take the company a few months to decide what to do.
AES Corp. spokeswoman Meghan Dotter declined to provide additional information on the project.
The plant was slated as a peaking facility to meet electric generation load during high demand periods. It would have consisted of three 100 megawatt gas-fired turbine generators and related equipment to operate the facility.
The plant was proposed on a 10-acre parcel at 12700 Taylor St., across the street from a proposed high school.
Neighbors and Colton Joint Unified School District officials expressed concern about the proximity of the high school - scheduled to open in September 2011 - to a power plant.
"It's been a long, hard fight," said Roxanne Williams, a 12-year resident who lives near the plant site. "It's better for the city and the residents and the proposed new high school. What this will do is open up that whole area.
"Instead of having it exposed to heavy industry, now we can bring in commercial and retail and clean up that area."
A deactivated power plant formerly owned by Southern California Edison now sits on the site.
AES Highgrove planned to demolish the plant and build the new facility on property once used by Edison for fuel oil storage.
Assistant City Manager Steve Berry said the city would like to see the old power plant on the site dismantled.
"On the positive side, it's one less obstacle we have to deal with in order to get the new high school built," Berry said. "On the down side, we're stuck with a hulking, aging power plant that's an eyesore on our landscape."
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Six Running for Three Seats
http://www.sbsun.com/ci_9936536?source=rss
Six showing interest in council race
3 seats up for election in GT
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/19/2008 08:53:55 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Five months from now, the City Council could have a trio of new faces.
Three council seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election.
The nomination period for the general election began Monday and ends Aug. 8, unless an elected incumbent doesn't file candidacy papers. In that case, the deadline is extended to Aug. 13.
Six potential candidates have taken out papers, including Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia and Councilman Jim Miller.
Planning Commission Chairman Doug Wilson, restaurant owner Walt Stanckiewitz, firefighter Robert Mendez and businessman Dontay Nunn also have pulled papers.
As of Thursday, Councilman Dan Buchanan had not taken out papers for the race.
No one has qualified for the ballot so far, according to the City Clerk's Office.
Garcia, who has served on the council since 1996, said she wants to continue moving the city of about 13,000 residents in the right direction.
"We're a wonderful little town," said Garcia, a 45-year-old single mother who owns a consulting, marketing and public relations business. "We have a great quality. We have many exciting things on the horizon. We want to continue building on what we've accomplished in our first 30 years as a city."
Construction of a new high school in town is one of Garcia's priorities.
The project has been beset by funding challenges and difficulties in relocating tenants off the proposed 67-acre site on Main Street, between Taylor Street and Michigan Avenue.
The Colton Joint Unified School District, which is building the high school, hopes to open the campus by September 2011.
"It's our job as a city to figure out a way to keep pushing the school board to get this high school built," said the 58-year-old Stanckiewitz, who owns La Pasta Italia, an Italian deli, restaurant and pasta factory in town.
Miller, a 60-year-old real property manager for San Bernardino County, also said the high school is important.
Another key issue for several candidates is the development of a new shopping center on the south side of Barton Road between Michigan and Mountain View avenues.
The project was originally slated to include a Lowe's but was scaled back because of neighborhood opposition to the home improvement warehouse.
The only confirmed tenant at the center is a new Stater Bros. market.
"I've very supportive of the Town Center, but it's got to be planned correctly and it has to be congruent with the neighborhood," said Wilson, a 54-year-old construction consultant who has served on the Planning Commission for 16 years.
Wilson said he also wants to ensure that traffic circulation issues are addressed before a proposed 120-acre commercial and residential project off the 215 Freeway is built.
He also would like to see a larger library in the city.
Wilson was an unsuccessful applicant to fill a council vacancy created in 2006 when Mayor Maryetta Ferre relinquished her council seat when she became the city's first directly elected mayor.
Buchanan, an attorney for a title insurance company, was chosen by the council to fill the vacant position in January 2007. He previously served on the council from 1994 to 2002. He could not be reached for comment.
Miller, who was elected to the council in 2004, wants more youth programs in the city.
"My main thing is to make sure that the city maintains balanced budgets and that we grow at a pace that is not too fast, so that our infrastructure can keep up," Miller said.
Garcia said she supports quality development that "gives us a secure financial stream and quality land use that doesn't impact our good neighborhoods."
Her other priorities include protecting open space and creating a wilderness park on Blue Mountain.
Stanckiewitz and his wife, Monique, bought a home in Grand Terrace after the couple lost their Running Springs home in the Slide Fire in October. They have owned La Pasta Italia on Barton Road almost 20 years.
He said he can bring a new perspective to the council as a small businessman.
"I want to get the Town Center done," he said. "All we've got is Miguel's (Mexican Restaurant) and a lot of dirt."
Mendez and Nunn could not be reached for comment
Six showing interest in council race
3 seats up for election in GT
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 07/19/2008 08:53:55 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Five months from now, the City Council could have a trio of new faces.
Three council seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election.
The nomination period for the general election began Monday and ends Aug. 8, unless an elected incumbent doesn't file candidacy papers. In that case, the deadline is extended to Aug. 13.
Six potential candidates have taken out papers, including Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia and Councilman Jim Miller.
Planning Commission Chairman Doug Wilson, restaurant owner Walt Stanckiewitz, firefighter Robert Mendez and businessman Dontay Nunn also have pulled papers.
As of Thursday, Councilman Dan Buchanan had not taken out papers for the race.
No one has qualified for the ballot so far, according to the City Clerk's Office.
Garcia, who has served on the council since 1996, said she wants to continue moving the city of about 13,000 residents in the right direction.
"We're a wonderful little town," said Garcia, a 45-year-old single mother who owns a consulting, marketing and public relations business. "We have a great quality. We have many exciting things on the horizon. We want to continue building on what we've accomplished in our first 30 years as a city."
Construction of a new high school in town is one of Garcia's priorities.
The project has been beset by funding challenges and difficulties in relocating tenants off the proposed 67-acre site on Main Street, between Taylor Street and Michigan Avenue.
The Colton Joint Unified School District, which is building the high school, hopes to open the campus by September 2011.
"It's our job as a city to figure out a way to keep pushing the school board to get this high school built," said the 58-year-old Stanckiewitz, who owns La Pasta Italia, an Italian deli, restaurant and pasta factory in town.
Miller, a 60-year-old real property manager for San Bernardino County, also said the high school is important.
Another key issue for several candidates is the development of a new shopping center on the south side of Barton Road between Michigan and Mountain View avenues.
The project was originally slated to include a Lowe's but was scaled back because of neighborhood opposition to the home improvement warehouse.
The only confirmed tenant at the center is a new Stater Bros. market.
"I've very supportive of the Town Center, but it's got to be planned correctly and it has to be congruent with the neighborhood," said Wilson, a 54-year-old construction consultant who has served on the Planning Commission for 16 years.
Wilson said he also wants to ensure that traffic circulation issues are addressed before a proposed 120-acre commercial and residential project off the 215 Freeway is built.
He also would like to see a larger library in the city.
Wilson was an unsuccessful applicant to fill a council vacancy created in 2006 when Mayor Maryetta Ferre relinquished her council seat when she became the city's first directly elected mayor.
Buchanan, an attorney for a title insurance company, was chosen by the council to fill the vacant position in January 2007. He previously served on the council from 1994 to 2002. He could not be reached for comment.
Miller, who was elected to the council in 2004, wants more youth programs in the city.
"My main thing is to make sure that the city maintains balanced budgets and that we grow at a pace that is not too fast, so that our infrastructure can keep up," Miller said.
Garcia said she supports quality development that "gives us a secure financial stream and quality land use that doesn't impact our good neighborhoods."
Her other priorities include protecting open space and creating a wilderness park on Blue Mountain.
Stanckiewitz and his wife, Monique, bought a home in Grand Terrace after the couple lost their Running Springs home in the Slide Fire in October. They have owned La Pasta Italia on Barton Road almost 20 years.
He said he can bring a new perspective to the council as a small businessman.
"I want to get the Town Center done," he said. "All we've got is Miguel's (Mexican Restaurant) and a lot of dirt."
Mendez and Nunn could not be reached for comment
Friday, July 18, 2008
Death/Possible Murder Near HS#3 Site
Friends:
Yes this event was late at night, however, Rails and Students and High School Traffic DO NOT MIX WELL. I Repeat my alarm on this issue. A Freigh Derailment of a Toxic Nature, or a Bus on the tracks, or a car load of students or staff trying to get to class or practice on time. Remember Trains ALWAYS WIN...
My thoughts go to the train conductor who has to deal with the results of someone taking on a train.
Train hits body on the rails near Grand Terrace; unclear if man was already dead
02:50 PM PDT on Friday, July 18, 2008
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
Video: Man hit by train near Grand Terrace
San Bernardino County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating a man's body that was hit by a train early this morning in Grand Terrace.
Police do not know if the man was alive or dead when he was hit by the train shortly after midnight at Main Street and Transit Avenue. Authorities are investigating whether the death was accidental or if it could be a homicide, sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire said.
While nothing yet points to a homicide, deputies and railroad officials shut down the tracks and treated the area as a crime scene.
The conductor of a BNSF freight train told Riverside County authorities the train hit the man near the Riverside County line, Wiltshire said.
"The train conductor thought he saw a man on the tracks but he couldn't stop in time," Wiltshire said. 'We're not sure why he was on the tracks. Our homicide detectives are out there because you can never go back and reconstruct a crime scene. We don't know if this was a transient or a homicide."
The investigation completely shut down railway traffic, including the Metrolink commuter line that runs from San Bernardino, through Orange County, to Oceanside.
The closure "completely disrupted" the 803 and 805 trains that run from San Bernardino to Orange County and caused extreme delays to the 807 train.
One track on the Inland Empire-Orange County rail line was reopened shortly before 8 a.m. after railroad officials removed a long piece of the snaking freight train blocking tracks, Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said. All lines are expected to be open by this afternoon's commute, Tyrell added.
Once rail traffic was reopened, trains were instructed to reduce speeds and take precautions while traveling through the scene.
"This was a long slog for those customers," Tyrrell said. "I know we're all in a hurry this morning but this was a homicide investigation and if this was one of our loved ones we wouldn't want (investigators) rushing through it."
A sheriff's K-9 unit and scientific investigators combed the scene where the freight train was stopped this morning. The man has not been identified.
This marks the fourth person hit by a train in the Riverside area in the past two months and the second person killed this week.
On Monday, a bicyclist was hit by a Metrolink train in Riverside at the Merrill Avenue crossing near Riverside Plaza.
On June 30, 16-year-old Alyssa McCroskey was killed by a train in Riverside. Authorities later ruled that death a suicide.
Traci Lynn McKnight was killed June 2when she crashed her car into a passing train at Spruce Avenue near UC Riverside. That death is still under investigation.
Reach John Asbury at 951-763-3451 or jasbury@PE.com
Yes this event was late at night, however, Rails and Students and High School Traffic DO NOT MIX WELL. I Repeat my alarm on this issue. A Freigh Derailment of a Toxic Nature, or a Bus on the tracks, or a car load of students or staff trying to get to class or practice on time. Remember Trains ALWAYS WIN...
My thoughts go to the train conductor who has to deal with the results of someone taking on a train.
Train hits body on the rails near Grand Terrace; unclear if man was already dead
02:50 PM PDT on Friday, July 18, 2008
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
Video: Man hit by train near Grand Terrace
San Bernardino County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating a man's body that was hit by a train early this morning in Grand Terrace.
Police do not know if the man was alive or dead when he was hit by the train shortly after midnight at Main Street and Transit Avenue. Authorities are investigating whether the death was accidental or if it could be a homicide, sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire said.
While nothing yet points to a homicide, deputies and railroad officials shut down the tracks and treated the area as a crime scene.
The conductor of a BNSF freight train told Riverside County authorities the train hit the man near the Riverside County line, Wiltshire said.
"The train conductor thought he saw a man on the tracks but he couldn't stop in time," Wiltshire said. 'We're not sure why he was on the tracks. Our homicide detectives are out there because you can never go back and reconstruct a crime scene. We don't know if this was a transient or a homicide."
The investigation completely shut down railway traffic, including the Metrolink commuter line that runs from San Bernardino, through Orange County, to Oceanside.
The closure "completely disrupted" the 803 and 805 trains that run from San Bernardino to Orange County and caused extreme delays to the 807 train.
One track on the Inland Empire-Orange County rail line was reopened shortly before 8 a.m. after railroad officials removed a long piece of the snaking freight train blocking tracks, Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell said. All lines are expected to be open by this afternoon's commute, Tyrell added.
Once rail traffic was reopened, trains were instructed to reduce speeds and take precautions while traveling through the scene.
"This was a long slog for those customers," Tyrrell said. "I know we're all in a hurry this morning but this was a homicide investigation and if this was one of our loved ones we wouldn't want (investigators) rushing through it."
A sheriff's K-9 unit and scientific investigators combed the scene where the freight train was stopped this morning. The man has not been identified.
This marks the fourth person hit by a train in the Riverside area in the past two months and the second person killed this week.
On Monday, a bicyclist was hit by a Metrolink train in Riverside at the Merrill Avenue crossing near Riverside Plaza.
On June 30, 16-year-old Alyssa McCroskey was killed by a train in Riverside. Authorities later ruled that death a suicide.
Traci Lynn McKnight was killed June 2when she crashed her car into a passing train at Spruce Avenue near UC Riverside. That death is still under investigation.
Reach John Asbury at 951-763-3451 or jasbury@PE.com
Thursday, July 17, 2008
GT Obstructive RED TAPE Removed for 2
City Admits to having Obstructive Red Tape:
Today there was a small report of the City of Grand Terrace facilitating the move of 2 businesses from property where High School #3 is to be located to new locations within the City of Grand Terrace.
The Action includes the locating one of the businesses on City Owned or one may think Redevelopment Agency Owned Property.
A couple of items come to mind here. One the use of Eminent Domain to build a School is an Appropriate use of that Governmental Power and this blog does not object to its use in this example.
HOWEVER: WHEN Eminent Domain is used the Agency using such power should be held accountable to make the displaced Individual or Business is made WHOLE or Better than WHOLE. IN THIS Displacecement the burden should be upon the CJUSD to make the arrangements.
The City of Grand Terrace should not be playing favourites in making a relocation easier for these businesses. IF there is a way to make it easier for these businesses than ALL similar transactions should be made EASY. The wording suggests as many suspect the City is involved in being Obstructionist to some, Rude to Others, and just plain Excessively Accommodating or in Bed With Others.
The Political or Economic Whimsy of the application of City Code, and Process and Procedure is a form of interjecting the Government into the area of Trade and Ultimately could be a Restraint of Trade or Unfair Competition Situation which is against the basic principals of our National and State Government Laws and Regulations.
No Bid Contracts for some, and for others excessive code inspections and applications to lease pre-existing business locations and operations for others.
With the posture the city has taken in regard to directing Cal Trans as to where the freeway and off ramps will be will the City Accommodate the Relocation of Cal Skate, and the other impacted businesses and the Elementary School they so clearly indicate a desire to have removed and rezoned to Commercial.
Today there was a small report of the City of Grand Terrace facilitating the move of 2 businesses from property where High School #3 is to be located to new locations within the City of Grand Terrace.
The Action includes the locating one of the businesses on City Owned or one may think Redevelopment Agency Owned Property.
A couple of items come to mind here. One the use of Eminent Domain to build a School is an Appropriate use of that Governmental Power and this blog does not object to its use in this example.
HOWEVER: WHEN Eminent Domain is used the Agency using such power should be held accountable to make the displaced Individual or Business is made WHOLE or Better than WHOLE. IN THIS Displacecement the burden should be upon the CJUSD to make the arrangements.
The City of Grand Terrace should not be playing favourites in making a relocation easier for these businesses. IF there is a way to make it easier for these businesses than ALL similar transactions should be made EASY. The wording suggests as many suspect the City is involved in being Obstructionist to some, Rude to Others, and just plain Excessively Accommodating or in Bed With Others.
The Political or Economic Whimsy of the application of City Code, and Process and Procedure is a form of interjecting the Government into the area of Trade and Ultimately could be a Restraint of Trade or Unfair Competition Situation which is against the basic principals of our National and State Government Laws and Regulations.
No Bid Contracts for some, and for others excessive code inspections and applications to lease pre-existing business locations and operations for others.
With the posture the city has taken in regard to directing Cal Trans as to where the freeway and off ramps will be will the City Accommodate the Relocation of Cal Skate, and the other impacted businesses and the Elementary School they so clearly indicate a desire to have removed and rezoned to Commercial.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
First Reviews on the New Prelim EIR on Jacobsen Center
The Traffic Problems are understated and do not address the pedestrian and school traffic due to the proximity of Grand Terrace Elementary School.
The Added Pollution and noise is identified as an issue to be addressed.
The Study starts off without respect to history.
First of all this area was primarily agricultural lands and small ranches. So to say there is no impact on the Agricultural Land Use is a disregard for history and possible restoration of some level of sustainable Agricultural Practices in Grand Terrace. This may be the last open land available for Agriculture. This fact should not be discounted.
Second, there is a statement that indicates no significant impact on low income housing. Well the home owners who were forced off their property by the threat of Eminent Domain, and the loss of the Mobile Home Park and the residents may consider this a significant issue. There has been no replacement of these home units by Jacobsen. Homes available to all age groups not just Seniors.
Third: The assessment that the development will not have a significant impact on criminal activity and or demands on public safety. This is wrong. A field of crops and a few homes that existed prior to the development process compared to a Drive up ATM and Potential Bars and Restaurants and Stores with Parked cars and high foot traffic are an attractive venue for all sorts of crimes that did not exist prior to the planned development. The study does not Limit or suggest Limits on what type of businesses should be included respecting that there are homes and a school adjacent or near the property. This was discounted by saying there will be a block wall along the back side of the development. A 6 foot block wall may stop cars, but it does not stop noise, and other problems associated with the potential development.
Phase 5 is Jo Stringfield's Property. This is property that the City of Grand Terrace, the City Council at least has said they will not force into development, yet the Planning Department includes it in THEIR STUDY. What do you trust? Actions or Words? To say the current use is out of "Compliance" is unjustified. The Current Owner never asked for a Zone Change or a General Plan Change to force a different use of their property. No the Zone is out of Compliance with the Owner's Right to determine the best use of Private Personal Property.
IF area 5 is to be developed it should be done by the owner of the property not the owner of adjacent property. Or is this the Fascist City of Grand Terrace?
Why was this Preliminary Study done, without significant Public Input? Who Paid for this Study?
The Added Pollution and noise is identified as an issue to be addressed.
The Study starts off without respect to history.
First of all this area was primarily agricultural lands and small ranches. So to say there is no impact on the Agricultural Land Use is a disregard for history and possible restoration of some level of sustainable Agricultural Practices in Grand Terrace. This may be the last open land available for Agriculture. This fact should not be discounted.
Second, there is a statement that indicates no significant impact on low income housing. Well the home owners who were forced off their property by the threat of Eminent Domain, and the loss of the Mobile Home Park and the residents may consider this a significant issue. There has been no replacement of these home units by Jacobsen. Homes available to all age groups not just Seniors.
Third: The assessment that the development will not have a significant impact on criminal activity and or demands on public safety. This is wrong. A field of crops and a few homes that existed prior to the development process compared to a Drive up ATM and Potential Bars and Restaurants and Stores with Parked cars and high foot traffic are an attractive venue for all sorts of crimes that did not exist prior to the planned development. The study does not Limit or suggest Limits on what type of businesses should be included respecting that there are homes and a school adjacent or near the property. This was discounted by saying there will be a block wall along the back side of the development. A 6 foot block wall may stop cars, but it does not stop noise, and other problems associated with the potential development.
Phase 5 is Jo Stringfield's Property. This is property that the City of Grand Terrace, the City Council at least has said they will not force into development, yet the Planning Department includes it in THEIR STUDY. What do you trust? Actions or Words? To say the current use is out of "Compliance" is unjustified. The Current Owner never asked for a Zone Change or a General Plan Change to force a different use of their property. No the Zone is out of Compliance with the Owner's Right to determine the best use of Private Personal Property.
IF area 5 is to be developed it should be done by the owner of the property not the owner of adjacent property. Or is this the Fascist City of Grand Terrace?
Why was this Preliminary Study done, without significant Public Input? Who Paid for this Study?
City IS LEAD AGENCY on Study 4 Jacobsen/Private Development
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
To:
Distribution List
Date:
July 02, 2008
Subject: Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
Lead Agency:
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
Community Development Department
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace, California 92313
(909) 430-2247
Contact: Gary Koontz, Community Development Director
Consulting Firm Preparing the Draft EIR:
LSA ASSOCIATES, INC.
1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 781-9310
Contact: Chris Del Ross-Risher, AICP, Senior Planner
The CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, acting as the Lead Agency, is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project identified below. We need to know your views or the views of your agency as to the scope and content of the information that should be included in the EIR. If you represent an agency, we are particularly interested in information germane to your statutory responsibilities. If you are a public agency, you may need to use the EIR prepared by our agency when considering your permit or other approval for the project.
This Notice of Preparation contains a brief project description and identifies the environmental issues to be examined in the EIR.
Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but not later than 30 days after receipt of this notice.
Please send your response to Mr. Gary L. Koontz, at the address shown above. Please include the name, phone number, and address of a contact person in your response.
Project Title: Grand Terrace Town Square Master Development Plan
Project Applicant: Jacobsen Family Holdings
Mark Hawley
21800 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 330
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Project Location: The project site is located along the south side of Barton Road east of Interstate 215, between Michigan Street and the Gage Canal. Surrounding land uses include single-family residential uses to the south, commercial to the west, a Senior Facility, Multifamily Residential, and Professional Offices to the east, with Mixed Commercial and Single Family Residential to the north.
Project Description: The project proposes development of approximately 202,635 square feet of commercial uses in accordance with the Barton Road Specific Plan in five Development Units on approximately 21.11 acres. Proposed development includes:
Development Unit 1 (up to 88,750 square feet of retail space on 8.15 acres),
Development Unit 2 (up to 47,250 square feet of retail space on 4.34 acres),
Development Unit 3 (up to 22,825 square feet of retail uses on 4.60 acres
Development Unit 4 (up to 22,760 square feet of retail space on 2.09 acres) and;
Development Unit 5 (up to 21,050 square feet of commercial uses on 1.93 acres).
These five Development Units are proposed to be constructed in five phases: Phase 1 (consisting of Development Unit 1), Phase 2 (consisting of Development Unit 2, Phase 3 (consisting of Development Unit 3), Phase 4 (consisting of Development Unit 4) is proposed to be completed at a future date following completion of Phases 1 and 2, and Phase 5 (consisting of Development Unit 5) is proposed to be completed at a future date following completion of Phases 1 and 2.
A General Plan Amendment is required for the realignment/extension of Commerce Way as part of the proposed project. The realignment/extension of Commerce Way is proposed to provide a secondary access to Development Units 1 and 2. The General Plan Amendment is necessary to include the realignment/extension of Commerce Way in the Circulation Element of the General Plan.
The proposed project would include a Sign Program that is compatible with the architectural theme and site layout and compliant with Chapter 18.80 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code. Signs within the General Commercial (GC) district shall be permitted in accordance with the provision of the BRSP. The Sign Program for the proposed project identifies sign design guidelines for all signs (free standing signs, menu board signs, awning signs, and wall signs) associated with the project, prohibited signs, and construction requirements for all signs. The Community Development Director may approve a sign that does not strictly adhere to the sign provisions of Chapter 18.80 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code provided that the sign is compatible with the surrounding development and is in harmony with the general aesthetics and welfare of the local area. Furthermore, the Planning Commission has the authority to allow deviations from the sign ordinance to approve creative and innovative sign programs or sign solutions under exceptional or unusual circumstances.
Probable Environmental Effects
The proposed project may produce environmental effects associated with air quality, cultural resources, noise, and transportation. The EIR will include an analysis of these topics. The EIR will address the short-term and long-term effects of the project on the environment, the proposed project’s potential to cause direct and indirect growth inducing impacts, and cumulative impacts associated with the proposed project. Alternatives to the proposed project will be evaluated that may reduce impacts determined to be significant in the EIR. Mitigation will be proposed for those impacts that are determined to be significant, to reduce those impacts to levels less than significant. Impacts that are determined to be significant after mitigation will be identified. A mitigation monitoring program will also be developed, as required by Section 15097 of the CEQA Guidelines.
The scope of the environmental analysis for the proposed project is subject to comments from agencies and the public. This Notice of Preparation will remain in effect for a 30-day public review period, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15082. Public agencies, interested organizations, and individuals have the opportunity to comment on and identify those environmental issues which have the potential to be affected by the project and should be addressed further by the City of Grand Terrace in the EIR.
Public Review Period of the Notice of Preparation
July 03, 2008 – August 04, 2008.
A copy of the Notice of Preparation, Initial Study and related files are available for public review at the City of Grand Terrace Community Development Department located at 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, CA 92313 during regular business hours. The Notice of Preparation and Initial Study are available for public review on the City’s website: http://www.cityofgrandterrace.org/.
Public Scoping Meeting
In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 21083.9, a public scoping meeting regarding the project is required. The City of Grand Terrace has scheduled a public scoping meeting at the date, time, and place shown below. The purpose of the scoping meeting is to obtain input regarding the environmental impacts that will be included in the environmental impact report for the subject project. You are invited to attend.
Date:
Time:
Location:
July 15, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Grand Terrace City Hall
Council Chambers
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace, California 92313
Date:
July 02, 2008
Signature:
Signature on Original
Title:
Community Development Director
NOTICE OF PREPARATION
To:
Distribution List
Date:
July 02, 2008
Subject: Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
Lead Agency:
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
Community Development Department
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace, California 92313
(909) 430-2247
Contact: Gary Koontz, Community Development Director
Consulting Firm Preparing the Draft EIR:
LSA ASSOCIATES, INC.
1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 781-9310
Contact: Chris Del Ross-Risher, AICP, Senior Planner
The CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, acting as the Lead Agency, is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project identified below. We need to know your views or the views of your agency as to the scope and content of the information that should be included in the EIR. If you represent an agency, we are particularly interested in information germane to your statutory responsibilities. If you are a public agency, you may need to use the EIR prepared by our agency when considering your permit or other approval for the project.
This Notice of Preparation contains a brief project description and identifies the environmental issues to be examined in the EIR.
Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date, but not later than 30 days after receipt of this notice.
Please send your response to Mr. Gary L. Koontz, at the address shown above. Please include the name, phone number, and address of a contact person in your response.
Project Title: Grand Terrace Town Square Master Development Plan
Project Applicant: Jacobsen Family Holdings
Mark Hawley
21800 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 330
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Project Location: The project site is located along the south side of Barton Road east of Interstate 215, between Michigan Street and the Gage Canal. Surrounding land uses include single-family residential uses to the south, commercial to the west, a Senior Facility, Multifamily Residential, and Professional Offices to the east, with Mixed Commercial and Single Family Residential to the north.
Project Description: The project proposes development of approximately 202,635 square feet of commercial uses in accordance with the Barton Road Specific Plan in five Development Units on approximately 21.11 acres. Proposed development includes:
Development Unit 1 (up to 88,750 square feet of retail space on 8.15 acres),
Development Unit 2 (up to 47,250 square feet of retail space on 4.34 acres),
Development Unit 3 (up to 22,825 square feet of retail uses on 4.60 acres
Development Unit 4 (up to 22,760 square feet of retail space on 2.09 acres) and;
Development Unit 5 (up to 21,050 square feet of commercial uses on 1.93 acres).
These five Development Units are proposed to be constructed in five phases: Phase 1 (consisting of Development Unit 1), Phase 2 (consisting of Development Unit 2, Phase 3 (consisting of Development Unit 3), Phase 4 (consisting of Development Unit 4) is proposed to be completed at a future date following completion of Phases 1 and 2, and Phase 5 (consisting of Development Unit 5) is proposed to be completed at a future date following completion of Phases 1 and 2.
A General Plan Amendment is required for the realignment/extension of Commerce Way as part of the proposed project. The realignment/extension of Commerce Way is proposed to provide a secondary access to Development Units 1 and 2. The General Plan Amendment is necessary to include the realignment/extension of Commerce Way in the Circulation Element of the General Plan.
The proposed project would include a Sign Program that is compatible with the architectural theme and site layout and compliant with Chapter 18.80 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code. Signs within the General Commercial (GC) district shall be permitted in accordance with the provision of the BRSP. The Sign Program for the proposed project identifies sign design guidelines for all signs (free standing signs, menu board signs, awning signs, and wall signs) associated with the project, prohibited signs, and construction requirements for all signs. The Community Development Director may approve a sign that does not strictly adhere to the sign provisions of Chapter 18.80 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code provided that the sign is compatible with the surrounding development and is in harmony with the general aesthetics and welfare of the local area. Furthermore, the Planning Commission has the authority to allow deviations from the sign ordinance to approve creative and innovative sign programs or sign solutions under exceptional or unusual circumstances.
Probable Environmental Effects
The proposed project may produce environmental effects associated with air quality, cultural resources, noise, and transportation. The EIR will include an analysis of these topics. The EIR will address the short-term and long-term effects of the project on the environment, the proposed project’s potential to cause direct and indirect growth inducing impacts, and cumulative impacts associated with the proposed project. Alternatives to the proposed project will be evaluated that may reduce impacts determined to be significant in the EIR. Mitigation will be proposed for those impacts that are determined to be significant, to reduce those impacts to levels less than significant. Impacts that are determined to be significant after mitigation will be identified. A mitigation monitoring program will also be developed, as required by Section 15097 of the CEQA Guidelines.
The scope of the environmental analysis for the proposed project is subject to comments from agencies and the public. This Notice of Preparation will remain in effect for a 30-day public review period, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15082. Public agencies, interested organizations, and individuals have the opportunity to comment on and identify those environmental issues which have the potential to be affected by the project and should be addressed further by the City of Grand Terrace in the EIR.
Public Review Period of the Notice of Preparation
July 03, 2008 – August 04, 2008.
A copy of the Notice of Preparation, Initial Study and related files are available for public review at the City of Grand Terrace Community Development Department located at 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, CA 92313 during regular business hours. The Notice of Preparation and Initial Study are available for public review on the City’s website: http://www.cityofgrandterrace.org/.
Public Scoping Meeting
In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 21083.9, a public scoping meeting regarding the project is required. The City of Grand Terrace has scheduled a public scoping meeting at the date, time, and place shown below. The purpose of the scoping meeting is to obtain input regarding the environmental impacts that will be included in the environmental impact report for the subject project. You are invited to attend.
Date:
Time:
Location:
July 15, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Grand Terrace City Hall
Council Chambers
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace, California 92313
Date:
July 02, 2008
Signature:
Signature on Original
Title:
Community Development Director
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Property Rights and Fairness
http://www.castlecoalition.org/publications is a good place for reading on the topic of Eminent Domain.
The case below is where the construction is a PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT... and the use of Eminent Domain would be ok. However, mitigation of the relocation should be fair, and the businesses should be put in a situation equal or better than the pre relocation situation.---
This is what all the businesses along the 215 / Barton Rd will enjoy.
This is only half of the pain and suffering the City of Grand Terrace inflicted upon the owners of property in areas it has designs on for the "Redevelopment Projects of Tom Schwab's Choice". Redevelopment that forces a person off their land for a Retail Store or Development that is NOT a Public Utility, or Public Service such as a Road or School is in Gramp's Opinion Criminal THEFT and a VIOLATION OF AN INDIVIDUALS RIGHT TO PROPERTY.
On Thu, 7/3/08,
story from pe.com.
(Page at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_W_wmagnolia02.49ee5df.html)
Now the term forced relocation is being used instead of ED.
======================================================================
Some Riverside business owners express frustration about underpass project
11:03 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
By DOUG HABERMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Video: The proposed Union Pacific underpass at Magnolia Avenue near the
Riverside Plaza
RIVERSIDE - The $50 million underpass planned on Magnolia Avenue at the Union
Pacific Railroad tracks near Riverside Plaza will provide relief to motorists
but is causing headaches for business owners who move to make way.
A majority of the affected 26 businesses have relocated and others are
preparing to move. At least one business hasn't found a new location.
Some of the business owners said it has not been easy dealing with the city
and many expressed concerns they would not be fairly compensated for the forced
relocations.
Assistant City Manager Michael Beck said the city's goal is to minimize
the inconvenience of the relocation and its effect on each firm's or
store's business. But the city also has a responsibility to taxpayers to be
prudent, he said.
The city hired Epic Land Solutions to work with the targeted businesses.
However, all the business owners who have moved or will move shortly found
their new locations on their own, said Epic project manager Walt Evans.
"We've tried like heck" to help them but there's limited
commercial property available in Riverside, Evans said.
(PHOTO: Story continues below Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Adrian van de water, owner of Specialized Mercedes Service in Riverside, plans
to relocate his auto repair shop to a building at the Tava Center on Arlington
Avenue, where his rent will double, he said. )
Kim Robson, owner of Jerl's Muffler & Brake, said it took six months
to find a suitable site.
"If we hadn't done all this on our own, we would be on the
street," he said.
His shop, which has been in its location for 30 years and is mostly outdoors,
is moving this fall to Indiana Avenue near Van Buren Boulevard.
The city is making Jerl's build a building to do all its work indoors to
comply with new codes, Robson said. The city won't reimburse Jerl's for
the full cost of the new building, he said, so he has hired an attorney.
Beck said Robson, like all the business owners, was provided with a document
outlining what is and is not eligible for compensation and Robson didn't
follow the guidelines.
"It's a battle," Robson said. "If they want us out, they
have to help us."
'Frustrating Ordeal'
J.Z.'s Party Charm, which rents tables, chairs, silverware and more for
parties, weddings and other events, moved this spring from a 7,000-square-foot
building with ample storage space to a 2,000-square-foot converted house on
Magnolia between Jackson Street and Van Buren Boulevard.
Owner Sandy Sandoval said Epic was helpful, but all the suggested locations
would have cost $2.75 to $4.50 a square foot while he was paying 50 cents a
square foot in Magnolia Center, where he had been for nine years.
(PHOTO: Story continues below )
His new place's small size forced him to rent storage for much of his
equipment, Sandoval said. He wasn't reimbursed when the city made him put
in a handicapped ramp and he widened the driveway to create extra parking
spaces.
The city has paid him back for the cost of the move and some improvements to
the house, such as telephone installations, but he had to push to get the
money, Sandoval said.
"It was a frustrating ordeal," he said.
Elliotts' For Pets hasn't found a new location, said Donna Elliott,
who owns the store with her husband, Patrick. They've been in business
since 1973 and have leased their location, which she called
"excellent," for 12 years.
They want to stay in Magnolia Center so they don't lose their customers,
Donna Elliott said.
The potential new sites Epic has suggested haven't worked out, Elliott
said.
"The properties are either too large, too small, bad area or too far
away," she said.
The lack of progress is discouraging, Elliott said.
"I am anxious," she said. "We don't want to go out of
business."
Rent Doubles
Adrian van de Water plans to relocate his auto repair shop, Specialized
Mercedes Service, to a building being constructed for him at the Tava Center on
Arlington Avenue on the east side of Highway 91, where his rent will double, he
said.
So far, he said, the city is only offering him what state law requires toward
making up the difference: $10,000.
"Why should I, a little business guy, be punished by my rent
doubling?" van de Water said. He has to put in all the tenant improvements
in the new building, he said, and is negotiating with the city over how much of
those costs it will pay for.
"I just want what's fair," he said.
Center Lumber has found a site on Jurupa Avenue north of Riverside Municipal
Airport but hasn't reached a deal with the city to enable a move there,
owner Jeff Eshelman said.
He dealt with Epic for a year or so and got nowhere, he said.
Eshelman finally came to a City Council meeting and pleaded for help. The
situation has improved since then, he said.
He and the city are negotiating the price of his Magnolia Avenue property,
which is more than an acre. Though they remain far apart, he is hopeful about
reaching a deal, including relocation costs, Eshelman said.
"I really feel that they're trying to do their best," he said.
Reach Doug Haberman at 951-368-9644 or dhaberman@PE.com
on track
The proposed Magnolia Avenue underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad line near
Riverside Plaza requires 26 businesses to relocate.
Estimated cost: $50 million, half for property acquisition and business
relocation
Money needed: $3 million
Construction start: June 2009
Construction finish: December 2010
Average daily traffic on Magnolia: 25,300 vehicles, including 10 school buses
and 178 RTA buses
Average number of trains per day: 47 freight and 12 Metrolink trains
Average time crossing arms are down: 2.5 hours a day
SOURCE: CITY OF RIVERSIDE
The case below is where the construction is a PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT... and the use of Eminent Domain would be ok. However, mitigation of the relocation should be fair, and the businesses should be put in a situation equal or better than the pre relocation situation.---
This is what all the businesses along the 215 / Barton Rd will enjoy.
This is only half of the pain and suffering the City of Grand Terrace inflicted upon the owners of property in areas it has designs on for the "Redevelopment Projects of Tom Schwab's Choice". Redevelopment that forces a person off their land for a Retail Store or Development that is NOT a Public Utility, or Public Service such as a Road or School is in Gramp's Opinion Criminal THEFT and a VIOLATION OF AN INDIVIDUALS RIGHT TO PROPERTY.
On Thu, 7/3/08,
story from pe.com.
(Page at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_W_wmagnolia02.49ee5df.html)
Now the term forced relocation is being used instead of ED.
======================================================================
Some Riverside business owners express frustration about underpass project
11:03 AM PDT on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
By DOUG HABERMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Video: The proposed Union Pacific underpass at Magnolia Avenue near the
Riverside Plaza
RIVERSIDE - The $50 million underpass planned on Magnolia Avenue at the Union
Pacific Railroad tracks near Riverside Plaza will provide relief to motorists
but is causing headaches for business owners who move to make way.
A majority of the affected 26 businesses have relocated and others are
preparing to move. At least one business hasn't found a new location.
Some of the business owners said it has not been easy dealing with the city
and many expressed concerns they would not be fairly compensated for the forced
relocations.
Assistant City Manager Michael Beck said the city's goal is to minimize
the inconvenience of the relocation and its effect on each firm's or
store's business. But the city also has a responsibility to taxpayers to be
prudent, he said.
The city hired Epic Land Solutions to work with the targeted businesses.
However, all the business owners who have moved or will move shortly found
their new locations on their own, said Epic project manager Walt Evans.
"We've tried like heck" to help them but there's limited
commercial property available in Riverside, Evans said.
(PHOTO: Story continues below Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Adrian van de water, owner of Specialized Mercedes Service in Riverside, plans
to relocate his auto repair shop to a building at the Tava Center on Arlington
Avenue, where his rent will double, he said. )
Kim Robson, owner of Jerl's Muffler & Brake, said it took six months
to find a suitable site.
"If we hadn't done all this on our own, we would be on the
street," he said.
His shop, which has been in its location for 30 years and is mostly outdoors,
is moving this fall to Indiana Avenue near Van Buren Boulevard.
The city is making Jerl's build a building to do all its work indoors to
comply with new codes, Robson said. The city won't reimburse Jerl's for
the full cost of the new building, he said, so he has hired an attorney.
Beck said Robson, like all the business owners, was provided with a document
outlining what is and is not eligible for compensation and Robson didn't
follow the guidelines.
"It's a battle," Robson said. "If they want us out, they
have to help us."
'Frustrating Ordeal'
J.Z.'s Party Charm, which rents tables, chairs, silverware and more for
parties, weddings and other events, moved this spring from a 7,000-square-foot
building with ample storage space to a 2,000-square-foot converted house on
Magnolia between Jackson Street and Van Buren Boulevard.
Owner Sandy Sandoval said Epic was helpful, but all the suggested locations
would have cost $2.75 to $4.50 a square foot while he was paying 50 cents a
square foot in Magnolia Center, where he had been for nine years.
(PHOTO: Story continues below )
His new place's small size forced him to rent storage for much of his
equipment, Sandoval said. He wasn't reimbursed when the city made him put
in a handicapped ramp and he widened the driveway to create extra parking
spaces.
The city has paid him back for the cost of the move and some improvements to
the house, such as telephone installations, but he had to push to get the
money, Sandoval said.
"It was a frustrating ordeal," he said.
Elliotts' For Pets hasn't found a new location, said Donna Elliott,
who owns the store with her husband, Patrick. They've been in business
since 1973 and have leased their location, which she called
"excellent," for 12 years.
They want to stay in Magnolia Center so they don't lose their customers,
Donna Elliott said.
The potential new sites Epic has suggested haven't worked out, Elliott
said.
"The properties are either too large, too small, bad area or too far
away," she said.
The lack of progress is discouraging, Elliott said.
"I am anxious," she said. "We don't want to go out of
business."
Rent Doubles
Adrian van de Water plans to relocate his auto repair shop, Specialized
Mercedes Service, to a building being constructed for him at the Tava Center on
Arlington Avenue on the east side of Highway 91, where his rent will double, he
said.
So far, he said, the city is only offering him what state law requires toward
making up the difference: $10,000.
"Why should I, a little business guy, be punished by my rent
doubling?" van de Water said. He has to put in all the tenant improvements
in the new building, he said, and is negotiating with the city over how much of
those costs it will pay for.
"I just want what's fair," he said.
Center Lumber has found a site on Jurupa Avenue north of Riverside Municipal
Airport but hasn't reached a deal with the city to enable a move there,
owner Jeff Eshelman said.
He dealt with Epic for a year or so and got nowhere, he said.
Eshelman finally came to a City Council meeting and pleaded for help. The
situation has improved since then, he said.
He and the city are negotiating the price of his Magnolia Avenue property,
which is more than an acre. Though they remain far apart, he is hopeful about
reaching a deal, including relocation costs, Eshelman said.
"I really feel that they're trying to do their best," he said.
Reach Doug Haberman at 951-368-9644 or dhaberman@PE.com
on track
The proposed Magnolia Avenue underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad line near
Riverside Plaza requires 26 businesses to relocate.
Estimated cost: $50 million, half for property acquisition and business
relocation
Money needed: $3 million
Construction start: June 2009
Construction finish: December 2010
Average daily traffic on Magnolia: 25,300 vehicles, including 10 school buses
and 178 RTA buses
Average number of trains per day: 47 freight and 12 Metrolink trains
Average time crossing arms are down: 2.5 hours a day
SOURCE: CITY OF RIVERSIDE
CJUSD Refuse to Have Air Tested and More
DEAR GRAMPS
Let us review:
The Schools of CJUSD enjoy a dropout rate similar to the State of California. AT LEAST 50 % (One HALF) or (One out of TWO), Students will drop out of High School prior to Graduation.
IF you are a Male Student that number is closer to 75 % of the total male student population.
The High Schools of CJUSD are OVER Populated.
The Building of High School #3 has been so delayed that the funds to build the school are insufficient for a fully functioning school. a 500 seat auditorium for a school with 3000 students is not a proper design. A proper High School Auditorium should have at least 1000 seats.
In addition a High School should be built to facilitate the education of no more than 2000 students at one site. This is a well known standard for excellence.
How is this related to the refusal of the CJUSD to have the Air Tested at Colton High School. It is quite simple. CJUSD wants to remain ignorant or pretend to be ignorant of the health hazards related to the Air Quality of their Campuses near the Cement Plants and Freeway and Railroad Operations. Those of us who attended or worked at Colton High School know that the dust, noise and some times in the past even rocks fall upon the campus from the Cement Activities.
Why persist in ignorance? Well, if CJUSD doesn't have the funds to build HS #3 then where on earth will the funds come from to pay for the replacement of the two High Schools with potentially bad air and contamination? Who will pay for the mitigation of the risks. Air Conditioning and the Power to run them. Who will pay for the indoor sports facility? Portland Cement?
When a School District wants to remain ignorant on an issue such as Air Quality and Health Risks to its Students is it hard to understand that there is such a high drop out rate? There is a relationship.
If the students drop out, there is more room. If there were no dropouts in CJUSD the schools would be more populated.
Should we be REAL WORRIED about how the desire to remain STUPID about the Potential Health Risks at the other High Schools and how this Attitude will be applied to the Environmental Risks at the HS#3 Site and the AES Power Plant and Railroad Tracks near that school site?
A Solution:
Small Specialized School Sites:
Lease the KMart on Mt. Vernon.
At this site:
Have a School that has General Education and a Vocational Specialty of Some Sort.
There is parking, a kitchen for cooking, and sufficient space for about 300 to 400 students and staff.
Lease the Empty Thrifty Market on Washington
Again, a Specialty Site: Perhaps a Different Vocational Tract:
For Physical Education: the facility could provide limitations but not all PE has to be "Sports" Perhaps a Dance Class or Indoor activity could be used for a School Wide Physical Education Period each day. One Teacher, and all the Staff and Students Dance before Lunch.
Thinking out of the Box, rather than hiding in the box is needed for our students.
There are other facilities in our community that are either City Owned, or Redevelopment Agency Owned that the Tax Payer has paid for in one way or another. These Project Areas we have invested in should be "Taken" by the PUBLIC for the Schools our students and teachers need.
Thanks Gramps for your Blog.
Let us review:
The Schools of CJUSD enjoy a dropout rate similar to the State of California. AT LEAST 50 % (One HALF) or (One out of TWO), Students will drop out of High School prior to Graduation.
IF you are a Male Student that number is closer to 75 % of the total male student population.
The High Schools of CJUSD are OVER Populated.
The Building of High School #3 has been so delayed that the funds to build the school are insufficient for a fully functioning school. a 500 seat auditorium for a school with 3000 students is not a proper design. A proper High School Auditorium should have at least 1000 seats.
In addition a High School should be built to facilitate the education of no more than 2000 students at one site. This is a well known standard for excellence.
How is this related to the refusal of the CJUSD to have the Air Tested at Colton High School. It is quite simple. CJUSD wants to remain ignorant or pretend to be ignorant of the health hazards related to the Air Quality of their Campuses near the Cement Plants and Freeway and Railroad Operations. Those of us who attended or worked at Colton High School know that the dust, noise and some times in the past even rocks fall upon the campus from the Cement Activities.
Why persist in ignorance? Well, if CJUSD doesn't have the funds to build HS #3 then where on earth will the funds come from to pay for the replacement of the two High Schools with potentially bad air and contamination? Who will pay for the mitigation of the risks. Air Conditioning and the Power to run them. Who will pay for the indoor sports facility? Portland Cement?
When a School District wants to remain ignorant on an issue such as Air Quality and Health Risks to its Students is it hard to understand that there is such a high drop out rate? There is a relationship.
If the students drop out, there is more room. If there were no dropouts in CJUSD the schools would be more populated.
Should we be REAL WORRIED about how the desire to remain STUPID about the Potential Health Risks at the other High Schools and how this Attitude will be applied to the Environmental Risks at the HS#3 Site and the AES Power Plant and Railroad Tracks near that school site?
A Solution:
Small Specialized School Sites:
Lease the KMart on Mt. Vernon.
At this site:
Have a School that has General Education and a Vocational Specialty of Some Sort.
There is parking, a kitchen for cooking, and sufficient space for about 300 to 400 students and staff.
Lease the Empty Thrifty Market on Washington
Again, a Specialty Site: Perhaps a Different Vocational Tract:
For Physical Education: the facility could provide limitations but not all PE has to be "Sports" Perhaps a Dance Class or Indoor activity could be used for a School Wide Physical Education Period each day. One Teacher, and all the Staff and Students Dance before Lunch.
Thinking out of the Box, rather than hiding in the box is needed for our students.
There are other facilities in our community that are either City Owned, or Redevelopment Agency Owned that the Tax Payer has paid for in one way or another. These Project Areas we have invested in should be "Taken" by the PUBLIC for the Schools our students and teachers need.
Thanks Gramps for your Blog.
Fireworks in the City.
FIREWORKS and NOISE in GT
We have Service Men and Women suffering from PTS that have written the Blog trying to explain that they don't want to be bad neighbors, but the fireworks late at night cause them a stress they can hardly express in words.
I would think that this then equals an entire family under stress.
So for our friends neighbors and family members returning from War, and for our friends with 4 feet, please contain your use of Fireworks and the making of loud noises to the first hour after dark, and not let the party noise be a burden on others.
Issue to look into:
We have Service Men and Women suffering from PTS that have written the Blog trying to explain that they don't want to be bad neighbors, but the fireworks late at night cause them a stress they can hardly express in words.
I would think that this then equals an entire family under stress.
So for our friends neighbors and family members returning from War, and for our friends with 4 feet, please contain your use of Fireworks and the making of loud noises to the first hour after dark, and not let the party noise be a burden on others.
Issue to look into:
The City of Grand Terrace allows the Sale of Fireworks for the purpose of raising funds for the Sports Teams. YET notice that Stater's had Fireworks for sale in the store. Did Stater's get a special CPU for the sale of Fireworks? Did they have the fire department certify the safe handling of the Fireworks? Did they pay the City of Grand Terrace a portion of the sale for the increased law enforcement efforts? Or is Jack Brown above the City Codes of Grand Terrace?
Is it possible that Jack Brown donates the entire amount of the fireworks sold to Youth Sports in the location of the sale? I don't know, it just seems odd to find Fireworks near the Twinkies.
Note: The City of Colton has a Firework Show later this week for their City's Birthday.
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