Fullerton : Condemnation Voted to Obtain Parking Site

Over the protests of several tenants and two property owners who don’t want to move, the City Council has voted to condemn a pottery gallery, two homes and a battery shop to make way for a parking structure across from the Fullerton Transportation Center.

Because two of the three property owners did not want to sell, the city is using its power of eminent domain to take the buildings, according to Chris Norby, the only council member to vote against the proceeding.

The $2.2-million parking structure is intended for commuters served by Amtrak, which has a station at the Transportation Center.

Critics told the council that additional parking was not needed because the parking lot surrounding the center was never full.

Several alternative parking sites were considered before the one at Santa Fe and South Pomona avenues was chosen, city redevelopment agency spokesman Terry Swindle said. A city parking analysis of the area shows that the center needs at least 200 more parking spaces, Swindle told the council.

The redevelopment agency must pay fair market value for the buildings and then pay tenants’ moving expenses.

Property owner Carl Kymla proposed as an alternative to turn his three buildings into an art gallery with a gourmet restaurant. Kymla told the council that his buildings have historical significance because Leo Fender first mass-produced his electric guitar there.